Earth Day 2026: The problem isn’t plastic. It’s waiting.
In business sustainability, there’s a quiet assumption that shapes more decisions than we like to admit: that the best solution hasn’t arrived yet. It appears in conversations about next-generation materials, in long-term circularity strategies, and in the belief that given enough time, systems will evolve into something more efficient and sustainable. On the surface, that […]
A diver, a village, and a tide that needed turning
Garri Bernel did not set out to become a community leader. He was a scuba diver. A lawyer. A Filipino living in North Bali, drawn to the quiet rhythm of coastal life in Les Village. A place where mornings begin with the sea, and where livelihoods are tied, intimately and irrevocably, to what lies beneath […]
Global Recycling Day 2026: What will we recycle if nothing is recovered?
We celebrate recycling like it’s a given. We talk about it as a system that simply exists. Something reliable and always there. But here’s the uncomfortable question no one asks: What exactly are we recycling… if nothing is being recovered in the first place? Because recycling doesn’t begin in the bin. It begins in the […]
There is no circular economy without her: The role of women in waste management
At 6am, before most offices switch on their lights, she is already working. If she has gloves, she wears them. If she can afford a mask, she uses one. In front of her is a pile of plastic that doesn’t belong to her – bottles, sachets, food packaging, film. The leftovers of someone else’s convenience. […]
When waste management systems fail, workers pay the price
There is a hard truth at the heart of the global waste management conversation that rarely gets the attention it deserves. When waste systems fail, the consequences are not abstract nor theoretical. They are borne by people by workers whose bodies absorb the risk long before the rest of society feels any disruption. The landfill […]
Short-Term Quick Wins for Brands: Using Plastic Better with the 3 R’s
For brands ready to make a positive impact on the global plastic pollution crisis, starting with short-term quick wins is the way to go. At Plastic Collective, we’ll guide you through the 3 R’s quick wins: Report, Recover, and Recycle. These short-term actions help you take immediate steps toward using plastic better while also setting […]
Transforming Food and Beverage Brands: Strategies for Reducing Plastic Impact
The global food and beverage industry generates a staggering amount of plastic waste, significantly contributing to plastic pollution and environmental degradation. Over 380 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, with plastic packaging alone accounting for 36% of this total. Tragically, only 9% of plastic waste has ever been successfully recycled, leaving billions […]
How to Reduce your Plastic Footprint
Plastic pollution is a huge environmental issue affecting our world today. It is becoming harder to avoid plastic packaging, materials, and products in our everyday lives. Plastic consumption has expedited over the past decade, with more than 8 million metric tons of plastic waste ending up in our oceans every year. By the year 2050, […]
How Much Plastic Is Actually Recycled? Understanding the Imbalance Between Virgin and Recycled Plastics
The world has a plastic problem. The alarming global increase in plastic production from 2 million tonnes in 1950 to over 400 million tonnes in 2021 has created a crisis. Even as recycling initiatives increase, the reality is that less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled globally. Meanwhile, virgin plastics, which are made from […]
Achieving Plastic Circularity: Choosing the Best Plastic Offsetting Option
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. As governments, businesses, and individuals strive to reduce their plastic footprint, finding the right tools to support this mission is essential. One increasingly popular initiative is businesses offsetting plastic packaging through plastic credits. Certified credits allow organisations to mitigate their plastic waste […]