Sustainability isn’t a privilege – it’s a requirement. While we knew from the very beginning that we wanted to free the world of plastic bottles, we also knew that we needed the help of a partner who shared our beliefs. Enter Plastic Bank – an organisation that focuses on stopping ocean pollution while simultaneously reducing poverty through offering incentives for collecting plastic waste.
Since 2021, we have been working alongside Plastic Bank to help them contribute to various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). Plastic Bank tracks the impact of their work conscientiously and diligently, especially with regard to how individual partners support them in respective processes. Thanks to their efforts and activities, we are proud to be contributing to 9 of 17 goals. Not sure what this really entails? Let’s take a closer look at some of them and break it down for you!
No Poverty:
By funding plastic collection on vulnerable coastlines, waterdrop® indirectly helps to create job opportunities for people living in impoverished areas. This support contributes to reducing poverty and improving the quality of life for these individuals.
Zero Hunger:
Through creating jobs and income from plastic collection, waterdrop® is empowering communities and contributing to the fight against hunger. As more people gain a stable source of income, they can afford to buy food and support their families regularly, leading to a decrease in hunger levels.
Good Health & Well-being:
The reduction of plastic waste in the environment leads to better health and well-being for individuals and communities. Through the prevention of plastic from reaching the ocean, waterdrop® indirectly helps to decrease pollution-related health issues and improve overall environmental health.
4. Quality Education:
Through generating income from plastic waste, families can use this money to invest in their children’s education. By supporting and funding Plastic Bank, waterdrop® contributes to improving access to quality education for individuals in disadvantaged communities.
Gender Equality:
Plastic Bank offers equal opportunities for both men and women to participate in plastic collection and earn income. Through supporting them in this process, waterdrop® helps empower women and promote gender equality in the workplace and in communities.
Clean Water & Sanitation:
Not only do plastics contain harmful chemicals themselves, plastics also absorb pollutants that float around in the ocean. By reducing the demand for plastic with our 12-Packs and removing plastic bottles from the environment for every 12-Pack sold, we help make the oceans cleaner and improve the quality of the water in general.
Decent Work & Economic Growth:
Economic growth needs to be a positive force for the planet. This is why we should make sure that financial progress creates decent and fulfilling jobs while not harming the environment. Through providing impoverished communities the opportunity to earn a regular income by collecting plastic bottles, we are helping to create jobs while improving the state of the planet.
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure:
Plastic Bank encourages innovation by turning collected plastic waste into valuable resources for the manufacturing industry. Through supporting Plastic Bank, we consequently support the development of sustainable and innovative solutions that contribute to building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable industrialization.
Not only that, Plastic Bank collectors also receive a premium for the materials they collect to help them provide basic necessities such as groceries, tuition and health insurance for their family, contributing to Goals 2, 3 and 4 from earlier.
Conclusion
Plastic Bank is a leading force in the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). By funding Plastic Bank in their collection of plastic waste on vulnerable coastlines and supporting local communities, we are proud to help reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth, amongst many other positive attributes that come from our partnership. Plastic Bank is a powerful example of how innovative solutions can help us better achieve the UNSDGs and we look forward to supporting them further as we work towards our goal of a plastic-free world – together!
Images: Plastic Bank
