Workshops – ICPIES 2026
Interactive, practice-oriented sessions advancing knowledge in plastics science, sustainability, and environmental solutions.
AI for Smart Waste Management: Plastic Waste Classification and Recycling Analytics
- Smart Waste Management & AI – Plastic waste challenges, recycling processes, and AI-driven solutions.
- AI-Based Plastic Waste Classification – Computer vision and image classification techniques for waste identification.
- Hands-on AI Model Development – Building and evaluating a plastic waste classification model using open-source tools.
- Recycling Analytics Dashboard – Visualizing waste classification results and recycling insights.
- Future Directions – Emerging trends and opportunities in AI-powered waste management.
Resource Persons
Dr. Thilina Thanthriwatta
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Information Technology, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Mr. Rukshan Senanayaka
Research Student
Faculty of Information Technology, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Workshop Chair: Dr. Suresha Perera · waper@ou.ac.lk
Education, Public Awareness and Community-Based Sustainability Initiatives
- This interactive workshop explores how digital technologies, innovation and community engagement can be leveraged to promote environmental sustainability and responsible plastic waste management.
- Participants will gain practical insights into designing effective awareness campaigns, integrating digital tools for sustainability education and developing community-based initiatives that encourage behavioural change.
Resource Persons
Dr. Thiviyan Senthilrajah
Senior Lecturer - Visiting
ICBT Campus
Mr. Kithmal Sahabandu
Senior Assistant Manager
Data Analytics and ESG, Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC
Mr. Indoosan Shanthakumaran
Deputy Manager
Environment and Sustainability (Africa Region), LOLC Holdings PLC
Workshop Chair: Dr. Suresha Perera · waper@ou.ac.lk
Prediction of Microplastics in Oceans Using Deep Learning
- The proposed workshop aims to provide participants with practical knowledge and insights into the application of deep learning techniques for predicting and monitoring microplastic pollution in marine environments.
Resource Persons
Dr. Rukshima Dabare
Senior Lecturer
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Open University of Sri Lanka
Dr. Jeeva Ekanayake
Senior Lecturer
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Open University of Sri Lanka
Workshop Chair: Dr. Suresha Perera · waper@ou.ac.lk
Nobody's Hiring? Build Your Own Paycheck.
A future-of-work workshop on AI, solopreneurship & one-person companies — featuring AEGIS, the AI-Enabled Solopreneur Internship Program by Jirafe Pte Ltd, Singapore.
Key Highlights
- AI & the new job market – See how fast AI is rewriting entry-level work, and which skills stay durable.
- From idea to investable – Stress-test a raw idea against the checklist real investors actually use.
- Launch your own OPC – Meet AEGIS, and build a real One-Person Company with AI tools, for internship credit.
Facilitator & Moderator
Dr. Alex Lin
Facilitator · Venture Builder, Investor & Educator
Groomed 380+ startups (170+ raised Series A). Managed $150M for ST Engineering Ventures & $200M for Singapore's IDA. Ex-CEO, NTUitive. Stanford PhD.
Mr. Fayaz Hudah
Session Moderator
Founder, Spiralation. Board Member, Global Entrepreneurship Network.
Registration Fee
Undergraduate Students
LKR 500.00
Others
LKR 1,500.00
Open to all faculties · No business or coding background needed · Bring a laptop or phone + AI account. Seats are limited.
Workshop Chair: Dr. Suresha Perera · waper@ou.ac.lk
Call for Workshop Proposals
The International Conference on Plastics, Innovations and Environmental Sustainability (ICPIES) 2026 invites proposals for technical workshops to be held alongside the main conference program. ICPIES 2026 brings together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to explore cutting-edge advancements in plastics science, sustainable innovations and environmental solutions.
Workshops should offer interactive, practice-oriented sessions that advance knowledge, demonstrate pioneering technologies and share best practices to mitigate plastic pollution, accelerate circular-economy strategies and improve plastics recycling and waste management. Proposals that foster interdisciplinary collaboration, highlight technological innovations including AI and smart monitoring, address policy and governance, engage communities and educators or focus on microplastics, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration are especially welcome.
What we're looking for
Workshop proposals should align with the broad themes of ICPIES 2026, including but not limited to:
Core Themes
- Advanced plastics and polymer materials
- Bio‑based, biodegradable and compostable materials
- Recycling technologies and waste‑plastics management
- Circular economy and life‑cycle assessment of plastics
- Microplastics, pollution mitigation and environmental remediation
- Sustainable packaging and product design
- Policy, regulation and standards for plastic waste reduction
- Education, public awareness and community‑based sustainability initiatives
Emerging Technology Areas
Workshop proposals may also incorporate emerging areas in Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Robotics, IoT, Smart Systems, and Engineering, particularly where such technologies contribute to addressing challenges related to plastics, environmental sustainability, waste management, circular economy practices, and eco-driven innovations.
- AI-Driven Plastic Waste Monitoring and Smart Recycling Systems
- Computer Vision and Robotics for Automated Waste Sorting
- Blockchain and IoT for Circular Economy Applications
- Digital Twins and Smart Environmental Systems
- 3D Printing with Recycled and Bio-Based Materials
- Autonomous Robots for Environmental Cleanup
Proposers are encouraged to design workshops that integrate technical content with practical case studies, policy insights or hands‑on sessions relevant to industry and academia.
How workshops run
Half-day sessions
Conducted online
No additional charge for registered attendees
The final format will be announced on the ICPIES website.
What to include in your proposal
Title
Title of the workshop.
Abstract
Abstract (200–300 words) describing goals, objectives and expected outcomes.
Intended Audience
Intended audience and prerequisites (e.g., level of expertise, prior knowledge, or target sectors such as academia, industry, policymakers).
Topic Outline
Outline of topics indicating the structure, key sessions and time allocation (e.g., lectures, demos, panel discussions, interactive activities).
Duration
Duration of the proposed workshop.
Organizers & Resource Persons
Names, affiliations, short bios and relevant experience in the proposed topic area, along with contact details for the primary organizer.
Motivation & Relevance
How the workshop contributes to the ICPIES 2026 theme of eco‑driven innovations in plastics and environmental sustainability, and the expected impact on attendees and the broader research or industrial community.
Workshop timeline
Please refer to the latest deadlines.
2026
Call for Workshops
2026
Deadline for Workshop Submission
Submission deadline2026
Notification of Acceptance
2026
Final Workshop Material Submission
Workshop Delivery Period
Workshop submission deadlines and notification timelines will be announced separately on the ICPIES 2026 website and will be aligned with these overall conference dates.
How to submit your proposal
All workshop proposals must be submitted to the Workshop Chairs and will be peer reviewed. The Workshop Chairs will make the final selection to ensure variety, relevance to the conference audience and alignment with the conference schedule.
Organizers of accepted workshops will be notified by the announced deadline and must submit final materials and deliver the workshop as scheduled. Accepted workshops will be listed on the official ICPIES 2026 website.
Organizers of accepted workshops will be required to confirm their participation within 14 days of notification. Workshop materials should be submitted to the conference organizers at least 14 days before the workshop date.
Workshops Chair Coordinator
For any questions regarding workshop proposals or logistics, please contact:
Dr. Suresha Nilmini Perera
Senior Lecturer
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences
- The Open University of Sri Lanka
- waper@ou.ac.lk