Alongside our commitment to environmental protection, a deeper mission also lies at the heart of our Plastic Offset Program (POP) in Myanmar: to empower local communities.
While it’s essential to address plastic waste, it’s equally vital to ensure that the people on the frontlines of these efforts, our collectors, have access to opportunities that provide them with long-term benefits. In recognition of this, we integrated livelihood initiatives as a critical component to the Plastic Offset Program, to support the team who make our cleanups possible.
Why do we offer livelihood support and training?
We understand that our collectors rely heavily on the income they earn from their participation in cleanups, but unfortunately, we cannot provide daily work for everyone. At the same time, the nature of environmental projects often limits the number of cleanups we can conduct. However, we strongly believe that supporting our collectors shouldn’t end with cleanups. This is why we’ve introduced livelihood training programs aimed at providing new opportunities for them to develop their businesses and increase financial independence.
How do we teach it?
Our approach is hands-on and community-centered. We work with local trainers and experts in both environmental sustainability and small business development. Workshops are held regularly, and we ensure that collectors have access to the resources they need, from basic materials to ongoing mentorship. Our training emphasizes practical application, allowing participants to immediately put their new skills to use, whether it be creating eco-friendly products or setting up small businesses.
What do we teach?
In Myanmar, the lack of recycling options is a significant challenge. As a result, one key objective of our livelihood support is to encourage a shift towards reusing materials and adopting eco-friendly alternatives in daily life. To achieve this, we introduce our collectors to a variety of new skills and sustainable practices. These include:
- Eco-friendly product creation: Training collectors to repurpose plastic waste into marketable goods, such as reusable bags or recycled crafts.
- Small business development: Providing fundamental entrepreneurial skills that enable them to start and manage their eco-friendly businesses.
- Sustainable techniques: Introducing methods that promote sustainability, such as creating compost or using natural materials to make everyday items.
By equipping our collectors with the skills and knowledge to start their own small and medium enterprises (SMEs), we not only enhance their livelihoods but also contribute to the broader environmental effort by reducing the country’s reliance on single-use plastics.
Impact on the Community
The effects of our livelihood support go beyond individual success stories. As collectors become entrepreneurs, they create jobs for others, help reduce waste, and offer their communities sustainable, locally-made products. These efforts ripple out, promoting environmental awareness and inspiring others to adopt eco-friendly habits. In time, we hope to see more eco-friendly businesses spring up across Myanmar, helping to reduce the country’s dependence on single-use plastics and fostering a culture of sustainability.
By focusing on livelihood support, POP is not just cleaning up Myanmar’s beaches; we’re also building a future where environmental responsibility and economic opportunity go hand in hand. Our commitment to empowering collectors through education, training, and resources is creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for both the environment and the people who protect it.
By equipping our collectors with the skills and knowledge to start their own small and medium enterprises (SMEs), we not only enhance their livelihoods but also contribute to the broader environmental effort by reducing the country’s reliance on single-use plastics.
