FROM PLASTIC TO PLANKS OF PROMISE: Realizing the Value of Plastic Waste Through Recycling

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste (Alliance) announces its first partnership and investment in the Philippines with local social enterprise, The Plastic Flamingo. The partnership, named Planks of Promise, will scale up collection of plastic waste in the Metro Manila area, and process the collected plastic waste in a new recycling facility – turning it into “eco-planks”.

The Plastic Flamingo, a social enterprise launched in the Philippines in 2019, provides a unique solution to the plastic waste problem. They work with investors, sponsors, and corporate partners – such as the Learning Tree preschools, Forbes Park community, and Enderun Colleges – to manage over 62 collection points to help collect, sort and recycle plastic waste. With the support of the Alliance, the Planks of Promise initiative aims to more than triple this number to 200 collection points by 2022.

To realize the value of plastic waste, The Plastic Flamingo has also partnered with the University of the Philippines Diliman to transform plastic waste into “eco planks”, which can be used to make emergency shelter kits, providing temporary housing to Filipinos displaced by natural disasters. The shelter kits will then be acquired and donated by various non-governmental organizations to the most exposed local communities. The planks can also be sold to contribute to the operating costs of the recycling facility.

This is the first project in the Philippines for the Alliance, an international non-profit organization who has a target to invest US$1.5 billion over five years towards solutions that can help end plastic waste in the environment. The Alliance has projects around the world, with a special focus on areas that are most vulnerable to plastic waste leakage in Southeast Asia.

“Asia is an important focus for the Alliance, as it accounts for 80% of plastic waste leaking into the environment. Supporting partners like The Plastic Flamingo in the Philippines means we are able to bring resources and expertise to scale proven solutions at the frontline where it matters, ” said Jacob Duer, President and CEO of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. “With Planks of Promise, we can develop a sustainable waste management system that fits the needs of the local community, and at the same time provide strong yet affordable emergency shelters during natural disasters.”

“With the help of the Alliance, this project will ramp up plastic waste recycling rates over the next three years, and we hope to recycle 2,000 metric tons per year by 2022,” said The Plastic Flamingo CEO François Lesage. Currently, the Plastic Flamingo already has 62 operational collection points, and with this partnership, the social enterprise is looking to work with more communities to make plastic waste recycling easier for Filipinos.

The Plastic Flamingo is in the process of acquiring a site for the new recycling facility, which aims to be operational by the end of the year.

To find out more about this project, visit https://endplasticwaste.org/project/planks-of-promise/.

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste is an international non-profit organization partnering with government, environmental and economic development NGOs and communities around the world to address the challenge to end plastic waste in the environment. Through programs and partnerships, the Alliance focuses on solutions in four strategic areas: infrastructure, innovation, education and engagement, and clean up. As of July 2020, the Alliance has nearly 50 member companies and supporters representing global companies and organizations across the plastic value chain.

For more information, visit: www.endplasticwaste.org

The Plastic Flamingo (The Plaf) is a social enterprise that started in August 2018 in the Philippines. The Plaf works to develop replicable solutions to fight marine plastic pollution in emerging countries, especially in Asia. The Plaf works with local collection networks to prevent post-consumer waste from reaching the ocean, and strives to find the best recycling options for the community.

For more information, visit: www.theplaf.com