Projects Archive - Plastic Collective

BECOME PLASTIC NEUTRAL NOW!   INDIVIDUALS & BRANDS

BECOME PLASTIC NEUTRAL NOW!   INDIVIDUALS & BRANDS

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Asase Foundation

Plastic Credit Certification

ASASE Foundation
Community-based Collection
and Recycling Project

Greater Accra Region

Ghana

WEST AFRICA

 

SEArcular logo

Plastic Credit Certification

ASASE Foundation
Community-based Collection
and Recycling Project

Greater Accra Region

Ghana

WEST AFRICA

 

SEArcular logo

About Asase

The ASASE Foundation was created by Dana Mosora and Hilda Addah on March 25th, 2017 in Accra. Their dream was to enable Ghanaian women entrepreneur to play a key role in cashing in on the plastic waste trash of Accra for the benefit of their own communities.

“We are a legally registered Non-Governmental Organization (N.G.O.) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. We aim to provide a platform for the inspiration and empowerment of women and beyond, by offering seed money and technical and business training to build their own plastic waste reprocessing plant and manage it as a social enterprise.”

The Project

A community-based plastic waste collection and recycling project established in Ghana in 2019. The project involves starting small recycling plants as social enterprises in communities where plastic pollution is most severe, and empowering women entrepreneurs to build their own plastic waste collection businesses as a sustainable source of income and employment.

Every day, 300 tons of plastic waste is generated in Accra. An informal network of women waste workers is the backbone of the local recycling industry. They are often the poorest faces of their communities and are regularly discriminated against for working in the waste sector. Without these women, Accra’s plastic waste would build up in local neighborhoods, as well as leak into the environment and nearby ocean. Without these recycling jobs, these women would likely face unemployment.

A target was to ramp up the volume of plastic waste collected and recycled, to create a steady supply of plastic waste for the new facilities once opened. To do that, the ASASE foundation started 2 new collection centers in Gbetsile and Kpone, Accra, where waste pickers can aggregate and bale the collected plastic waste, and sell it to the foundation.

From January 2021 to September 2021, the Closing the Loop diverted around 600 tons of plastic waste from various streams, including from their collection centers, schools where they run educational programmes on plastic waste sorting, as well as monthly cleanups conducted along Accra’s coastline. In 2022, the project increased processing capacity to 2,000 tons.

To help process this collected waste and sell it at a higher value, an extruder was installed in the CASH IT! facility, turning collected plastic waste into pellets. This improves the long-term economic viability of the recycling business.

To pave the way for a more sustainable future, the ASASE Foundation is working with 58 schools to teach students about waste management, segregation, and recycling. Students also help collect and sort their own plastic waste, which is then collected by the foundation and recycled in the CASH IT! facility.

The foundation is also building career paths for young mechanics and engineers. They have partnered with Design and Technology Institute in Accra to bring select students on board the design and fabrication of the second CASH IT! recycling plant. These students will then have the opportunity to continue working at the facility upon graduation, to maintain and operate the assets they helped design and set up.

SEArcular by Greencore

Plastic Credit Certification

SEArcular Indonesia
Collection and
Recycling Project

Java

INDONESIA

 

SEArcular logo

Plastic Credit Certification

SEArcular Indonesia
Collection and
Recycling Project

Java

INDONESIA

 

SEArcular logo

SEArcular is transforming ocean-bound plastic into opportunity empowering coastal communities through training and incentives. 

Their network mobilizes waste pickers to collect plastics from beaches waterways and public spaces not just cleaning up but creating value from waste and driving a greener future.

They aim to reduce ocean plastic and promote a circular economy by efficiently recycling a variety of plastics including PET, PP, PS, PE and Code #7 plastics, a category often overlooked due to its complexity.

Greencore is placing a special focus on the recycling of Code #7 plastics focusing on turning this hard-to-recycle material into a valuable resource.  

 Founded by Max Craipeau, elected Asia’s #1st most innovative plastic recycler in 2022, Greencore was the first recycler in Indonesia to be certified (ZPO) Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP).

 With Max CRAIPEAU serving as a Chairman of the BIR—the world’s largest recycling association—Greencore distinguishes itself with the industry’s broadest selection of OBP certified resins. SEArcular excels in processing hundreds of tons of plastic each month providing significant support to coastal communities.

Mapoon

Project Delivery

Hunter Gatherer Mamas

Mapoon

Cape York, Queensland

AUSTRALIA

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Delivery

Hunter Gatherer Mamas

Mapoon, Cape York,

Queenslands

AUSTRALIA

 

The Challenge

Western Cape York coastlines have one of the highest concentrations of marine debris and ghost nets in Australia, where discarded coastal and fishing gear flow down on currents from surrounding countries. Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger groups and environmental clean-up groups regularly remove marine debris from the remote beaches, which are important marine turtle nesting sites.

Solution

The ‘Hunter Gatherers Mamas’ project will enble remote communities to transform marine litter into valuable artworks. Supported by a new online marketplace, tailored training and essential repurposing equipment to produce artworks from ghost net and marine debris, this programme facilitates women in remote communities in Northern Australia to turn plastic pollution into a creative revenue opportunity.

Delivery

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

TBA

TRAINING:

v3: Ghost Gear & Marine Debris Artworks & Marketplace

OTHER:

Ghost Gear Arts

PROJECT PARTNERS

East Java Leaf Project

Project Delivery

Leaf Farmers Recycling Program

Jember, East Java

INDONESIA

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Delivery

Leaf Farmers Recycling Program

 

Jember, East Java

 

INDONESIA

 

The Challenge

Remote farming communities in East Java are struggling with plastic pollution impacting their farming areas, community health and environment. Disadvantaged by distances of over 500km to the closest regional recycling plant, much of the waste plastics in these remote regions are dumped in rivers, empty land sites or burnt in backyards.

Solution

The ‘Leaf Project’ was established as a ‘Hub & Spoke’ plastic recycling project in Jember, East Java. Sponsored by Sampoerna Indonesia, this project aimed to eliminate plastic pollution and provide recycling solutions for remote regional farmers disadvantaged by plastic pollution. As this project occurred during the Covid pandemic, it was necessary to engage local Javanese consultants who could facilitate the installation of the project in partnership with Plastic Collective Australia.

Thirty plastic collection sites were surveyed throughout the tobacco and clove growing region between Jember and Bondowoso, with the aim of selecting a suitable Hub site and 20 Plastic Collection Banks for the plastic material recovery, Pak Muji’s site was selected as the most suitable Hub location, surrounded by local Waste Collection Banks. Muji’s Hub required securing a 3 year lease on a suitable facility, repairing the damaged roof and installing suitable equipment for the granulating and baling of salable plastic materials in Surabaya – the local manufacturing region. Existing collection activities were reviewed and provided with training and equipment to collect, sort and sell both kerbside hard and soft plastics. Education was a key component of this project, and ensuring compliance to environmental standards are followed, to prevent the discarding of waste materials through burning and dumping.

DELIVERY DATE: 

April 2021

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

Concentration Recycling Station – Granulator & Baler
Digital System

TRAINING:

Global Plastic Problem
Plastics Knowledge
Operations (Recovery/Concentration)

OTHER:

EEC, SWP

PROJECT PARTNERS

Bowraville

Project Delivery

The Centre for Sustainbility

Bowraville

New South Wales
AUSTRALIA

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Delivery

The Centre for Sustainbility

Bowraville

New South Wales
AUSTRALIA

 

 

The Challenge

Bowraville is small regional community on the mid north coast of New South Wales, with high proportion of first nation people. Due to the remote area, there is a lack of employment opportunities for the youth.

Solution

The Bowraville project was established after Miimi Aboriginal Corporation contacted Plastic Collective, as part of an ambitious plan to turn the old Bowraville Buttery into The Centre for Sustainable Solutions, to provide employment opportunities to the local Indigenous youth. The site required DA’s and site preparation, educational training of local Indigenous participants, who will operate the recovery and concentration activities using a containerised Recycling Station. Training in plastics education modules commenced in late 2021, with the operational training and project management currently being implemented (Jan-March, 2022). The Bowraville project was supported by Gowings Whale Trust to recover a combination of ocean/ ocean-bound plastics and kerbside plastics for use in surf products, in partnership with Surf Hardware International.

DELIVERY DATE: 

November 2022

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

Concentration Recycling Station – Granulator & 2 Balers

TRAINING:

Global Plastic Problem
Plastics Knowledge
Operations (Recovery/Concentration)

OTHER:

EEC, SWP

 

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

Concentration Recycling Station – Granulator & Baler

TRAINING:

Global Plastic Problem
Plastics Knowledge
Operations (Recovery/Concentration)

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Les Village

Les Village

Project Delivery

Shruder Resource Recovery Program

Les Village

North Bali

INDONESIA

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Delivery

Shruder Resource Recovery Program

Les Village

North Bali

INDONESIA

 

Problem

Les Village is located on the northern coastline of Bali, 45 minutes east of Singaraja. The village is home to mostly fishermen, salt farmers and their families. Tourism is low compared to the more populated southern region. In the past, cyanide fishing and reef bombing devastated the coral reef and fish populations, affecting the livelihoods of the entire region. Likewise, the lack of waste collection results in the majority of plastics being burnt around the houses, thrown into rivers or randomly dumped. The majority of this waste is then washed into the ocean during the heavy rain season.

Solution

Established as a coral reef restoration project through ‘volun-tourism’ in 2012, Sea Communities evolved into a community engagement and capacity building enterprise which empowers village members and visitors alike with programs including literacy, marine conservation and resource recovery. In April 2019, the Shruder Resource Recovery program funded by TK Maxx (UK), was delivered and included 2 Shruder machines, tools and working with plastics training, resulting in the development of a micro-enterprise onsite plastic recycling workshop.

DELIVERY DATE: 

March 2019

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

Shruder Mk 2

TRAINING:

Global Plastic Problem
Plastics Knowledge
Operations (Shruder)

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Mantanani Island

Mantanani Island

Project Delivery

Mantanani Plastic Recycling Centre

Mantanani Island

Sabah, Borneo

MALAYSIA

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Delivery

 

Mantanani Plastic Recycling Centre

Mantanani Island

Sabah, Borneo

MALAYSIA

 

The Challenge

Mantanani Island, located 30km northwest of Sabah, has a population of 1000 locals and 22 resorts. The main industries are fisheries and increasingly tourism. As there are no cars or transport on the small tropical island, waste materials are either burnt, thrown directly into the sea or left on the beaches for the free-roaming cattle to eat. Plastic pollution dominates the white beaches and the intertidal zone of the large coral lagoon, harming all marine life and affecting local community health.

Solution

Reef Check is a scientifically based organisation that assesses and supports the health of coral reefs globally. The Malaysian branch has established a team in Mantanani Island that is working with the local community to develop capacity building skills, including literacy, environmental education and resource recovery. After establishing Mantanani Island Plastic Recycling Centre, Reef Check received sponsorship from Coca-Cola Malaysia to deliver the mobile Shruder program. Delivered in April, 2019 they aim to produce materials for the locals and sell shred for profit.

DELIVERY DATE: 

April 2019

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

Shruder Mk2

TRAINING:

Global Plastic Problem
Plastics Knowledge
Operations (Shruder)

PROJECT PARTNERS

Whitsunday Islands

Whitsunday Islands

Project Delivery

Ocean Trash Recycling Shack

Whitsunday Islands

Queensland

AUSTRALIA

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Ecobarge

Project Delivery

Ocean Trash Recycling Shack

Whitsunday Islands

Queensland

AUSTRALIA

 

The Challenge

In the middle of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, there are over 200 stunning uninhabited islands making up the Whitsunday region. On these islands plastic marine debris regularly washes ashore through currents, tides and winds from the Pacific Ocean. Since 2009, Ecobarge Clean Seas volunteers have removed more than 191,000 tonnes of marine debris from these islands using a flat bottom barge. As no other option existed, the collected debris was sent to landfill.

Solution

In May 2018, a Shruder program was delivered to Ecobarge, sponsored by Coca-Cola South Pacific, which provided the Shruder, working with plastics training, tools and equipment for an onsite plastics recycling plant. Through Plastic Collective’s closed loop network, Ecobarge was partnered with WAW Handplanes (product manufacturer). As recovered ocean plastic is highly sought after by product manufacturers, Ecobarge benefits from above industry prices for their shred. Funds from these sales assists the not-for-profit group to support and expand their environmental education operations including a Marine Debris Education Centre and Marine Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Hospital.

DELIVERY DATE: 

November 2018

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

Shruder Mk2

TRAINING:

Global Plastic Problem
Plastics Knowledge
Operations (Shruder)
 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Ecobarge

The Gulf

The Gulf

Project Delivery

Wetlands Not Wastelands

Burketown / Normanton

Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland

AUSTRALIA

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

Project Delivery

Wetlands Not Wastelands

Burketown / Normanton

Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland

AUSTRALIA

 

The Challenge

Marine debris and ghost gear impacts coastal regions in the Gulf of Carpentria including ghost gear and single-use plastics. As part of the caring for country, Land and Sea Rangers run regular coastal cleanups to remove tonnes of marine debris from rivers and beaches, in an effort to protect habitats including turtle nesting grounds and vital marine life habitats. These marine debris cleanups regularly bring in over 5 tons of materials a year, however the disposal of this material in local landfills was a serious concern for remote communities. The floodplains of the extensive southern gulf region meant that in the rainy season materials in dump sites could easily flow back into the river systems, these communities want to reduce the landfill volume and keep the waterways clean.

Solution

In 2020, Plastic Collective (PC) received an environmental grant from Coca-Cola Australia Foundation with partners with Earthwatch Australia (EW) and the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CLCAC) to develop and deliver a project in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria. This project called ‘Wetlands Not Wastelands’ focused on mangrove health and addressing plastic pollution. After two years of Covid lockdown delays, PC delivered the final stage of an Indigenous Recycling Centre in the in Burketown and Normanton in August, 2022. PC was responsible for training over 20 Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers in the identification and sorting of marine debris and household plastics, and safe processing through granulating and baling to produce saleable materials. While, Earthwatch Australia trained the Rangers in mangrove and saltmarsh identification, and surveys which included marine debris transects and monitoring the health of the mangroves after the largest die-back of mangroves was witnessed in the Southern Gulf region a number of years ago.

DELIVERY DATE: 

August 2021

PC SYSTEM INSTALLED:

Concentration Recycling Station – Granulator & 2 Balers

TRAINING:

Global Plastic Problem
Plastics Knowledge
Operations (Recovery/Concentration)

OTHER:

EEC, SWP

 

PROJECT PARTNERS

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