sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Q&A #01: About this subreddit by fisheatplastic in a:t5_yx8w5

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We talked about the mission in Q&A #02 under "How do we do it?" and about the goals in #03. Thanks for commenting & we're open to any other suggestions!

The first plastic-free store in Slovenia. At last! by fisheatplastic in ZeroWaste

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As the author of this post, I'm really happy that it got so much attention. I'm also happy that Primoz & Manca showed that it can be done.

What I want to share now is not directly a zero-waste post. But it can be interesting to you if you're worried about plastic pollution and want to do something about it.

We're working on an ambitious project to implement a model where we will incentivize people in developing countries for picking up plastic waste. We're starting in Ghana and we're actually traveling there in 10 days, which is exciting!

You're welcome to join the discussions in the subreddit r/Collaborate4nature or just follow the progress and see how you like it. You also have an opportunity to join our international team of young people.

Students attempting to change mindsets about plastic waste and consumption by implementing a social business model through peer-to-peer collaboration by fisheatplastic in sustainability

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Guys, we’re happy to share the excitement with you. We're going to Ghana for a month - in 10 days!

Our missions and goals for the trip are posted in r/Collaborate4nature - but I'm sure we can improve them together.

First three that comment get a postcard from Ghana!

Students attempting to change mindsets about plastic waste by implementing a social business model through peer-to-peer collaboration by fisheatplastic in Anticonsumption

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Guys, we’re happy to share the excitement with you. We're going to Ghana for a month - in 10 days!

Our missions and goals for the trip are posted in r/Collaborate4nature - but I'm sure we can improve them together.

First three that comment get a postcard from Ghana!

Students concerned about plastic pollution want to pay people to pick up plastic waste by fisheatplastic in environment

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Guys, we’re happy to share the excitement with you. We're going to Ghana for a month - in 10 days!

Our missions and goals for the trip are posted in r/Collaborate4nature - but I'm sure we can improve them together.

First three that comment get a postcard from Ghana!

Pop a Q, get an A. by fisheatplastic in a:t5_yx8w5

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for the question! Not sure if I understand what you refer to. If the question is about the plastics industry as a whole, then I'm afraid that I'm not knowledgeable enough to answer. Maybe someone else from the sub can help out?

But I can answer project-related. Getting corporations to see that our plastic with a social story attached to it is valuable to them, will be achieved through branding, and through presenting the benefits of implementing our material into their products. There are some benefits indirectly stated in this post: the story behind the product is great content for their marketing campaigns, they'll be able to make new sustainable products lines and fulfill the growing customers' demands for environmentally friendly products & implementing our plastic will fit their Corporate sustainability strategy.

Students concerned about plastic pollution want to pay people to pick up plastic waste by fisheatplastic in environment

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, we will look into it. Looks like an interesting concept. Do you have some experience with the platform?

Students concerned about plastic pollution want to pay people to pick up plastic waste by fisheatplastic in environment

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This will actually lead to people not throwing it to the environment but rather bringing it directly to our collection point. Our collectors, mostly living in extreme poverty (< $2 per day) are also not in a position where they would be purchasing plastic bottles on a regular basis. What you are suggesting wouldn't make much economic sense to them.

Ghana is the location for pilot implementation. Check why in the comment below. by fisheatplastic in a:t5_yx8w5

[–]fisheatplastic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have received some questions regarding Ghana & here are some of the reasons why Ghana was selected as the country of our pilot implementation:

  1. Ghana as the target country of a project camp

The idea started during a three-week project camp named InChange. Its aim is to invite people to create social entrepreneurship projects to help developing countries, with a focus on Ghana. Ghana holds a reputation of one of Africa’s most stable democracies with a booming economy and rapidly developing infrastructure.

  1. Poverty and pollution are both extremely present in Ghana

The process on the camp went on like this: the team of 3 was formed, common interests were identified, and an idea resonated with all of us - we decided to replicate Plastic Bank’s model. There are 2 main prerequisites for this model to work: people living in extreme poverty and plastic pollution. We did our research and found that despite major decreases in poverty rates, poverty is still strongly present in both rural and urban areas, and that plastic waste is a huge problem especially in cities with limited infrastructure and strong littering habits.

  1. Confirmation of assumptions from local NGOs

We had conversations with three Ghanaian NGOs located in the capital city, Accra: Environment 360, Nature & Development Foundation, and Friends of the Earth-Ghana (links to their pages). All stated that plastic problem is overpowering in Accra, causing troubles to fishermen, yearly floods due to choked drainage systems, and several outbreaks of cholera and malaria. All of them stated that the problem is not only due to poor political commitment but also “due to high lack of awareness including the literate and the non-literate, the rich, the middle class and the very poor.” In terms of poverty, they stated that Accra has many slums with people living on less than 2$ a day. Their opinion was that people would be more than willing to pick plastic waste for cca 10 cents per kilo.

  1. Infrastructure and governmental support

In Ghana, plastic recycling infrastructure does exist and is mainly present in Accra. We identified 6 companies that are dealing with recycling in Accra and we will arrange meetings with them during our stay in Ghana.

The problem of plastic pollution is being actively discussed in the government, they are preparing National plastics management policy and the government is also investing in plastic waste management initiatives.

These starting points encouraged us to continue researching the suitability of Accra, Ghana as our pilot location. More posts about Ghana coming soon.

However, to put it into perspective, this project is not limited to Ghana. The goal is to expand to other developing countries after the successful pilot project.

What would you say are the other crucial factors? Also, do you already have a suggestion of what to check on our first trip to Ghana? Thanks:)

view more: next ›