Verified Plastic Recovery: Impact Beyond Plastic Action

Introduction: How rePurpose Global creates Impact?

To combat the growing crisis of plastic pollution a focus on just reduction, or just recovery would not be enough to stem the flow of plastic into the oceans and prevent damaging environmental consequences. We need both.

rePurpose Global works to create that new system. And Verified Plastic Recovery (VPR) is a big part of that – creating systems and infrastructure for plastic recovery in under-serviced communities.

rePurpose Global’s philosophy is to do this in the most ethical and effective way. Our plastic recovery programs set standards in the sector and rePurpose Global’s Verified Plastic Recovery Protocol (VPRP) is the foundation of this. The VPRP is a comprehensive framework for operating plastic recovery projects, and commits us to various principles that are set out below.

At its core, VPR has to achieve environmental impact. This means a rigorous baseline study is required to assess the ‘business as usual’ case, and our work has to achieve ‘additionality’ - only counting the recovery of waste that would not have been collected without the intervention. Similarly, for the process to be trusted our data needs accountability, traceability, and verifiability. Every kilogram has a record of generation, ownership, and transfer. This is achieved through tech-enabled chain-of-custody documentation recorded and traceable via reTrace^TM, and confirmed through third-party audits.

Our environmental goals go beyond plastic collection, and the VPRP commits that plastics collected by rePurpose Global’s projects to go to the best available ‘end destination’. This means no incineration or landfill, and everything that can be recycled or upcycled, is.

Our impact philosophy also involves community collaboration – we develop community-based local solutions. Plastic pollution has a profound and unequal impact on people. Our projects empower marginalized waste worker communities, and work at the intersection of environmental and social justice.

This is supported by our protocols: rePurpose Global’s Impact Code is designed to put waste workers and communities at the forefront of our work to bring an end to the plastic crisis. It outlines a comprehensive set of guidelines and principles that define the nature of collaboration with our impact partners and creates the platform for our projects to provide improved safety, wellbeing and equality for workers.

Of course the protocol itself is only a set of standards. Adherence to the standards requires ongoing work, training, and monitoring. rePurpose Global's Impact Projects team are leading experts in this implementation, and ensure that the VPRP and Impact Code standards are maintained by all projects.

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There is significant overlap between informal employment and poverty. The waste sector in many parts of the world is not just informal, but often deeply unorganized and exploitative. People who work in informal waste collection are often underpaid for their work, and trapped in a cycle of poverty. In India alone, approximately 4 million waste workers live in poverty, with many earning less than $1 a day.

Plastic recovery funding allows rePurpose Global projects to address the socio-economic crisis that exists within the waste management sector.

Case Study: Gerugambakkam, Chennai, India

In Gerugambakkam, a residential-industrial neighborhood in Chennai, India, brand financing was used to fund the set-up of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in a project run by rePurpose Global in partnership with Waste Ventures India (WVI). Dr. Roshan Miranda — the co-founder of WVI, says that plastic recovery financing from brands has enabled WVI to scale-up impact by 3-5 times. And today, the waste workers engaged with WVI are able to earn a more stable and fair income than before. By collecting previously 'low-value' plastics alongside other waste, informal waste workers can now earn more every time they do their rounds. Formal workers in facilities are provided safety equipment, sanitation facilities, and training and career advancement opportunities. This along with further opportunities for related micro-entrepreneurship has gone a long way to supporting the local community and economy.

Other projects, such as those in Indonesia provide micro-entrepreneurship opportunities through a unique franchise model.

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Many informal waste workers in the developing world belong to marginalized communities. From our experience of working in the informal waste sector in India, we know that waste workers often come from historically oppressed, low-ranked caste groups. There is also social stigma associated with waste collection, leaving waste workers frequently subject to rejection and humiliation, along with deprivation.

The formalization of waste projects and more consistent income for workers can change these perceptions. rePurpose’s VPR funding also supports waste workers by making working conditions safer, cleaner and fairer. For example, workers on rePurpose Global impact projects are provided with protective equipment (PPE), uniforms, break rooms, sanitary facilities, and refreshments.

These kinds of transformations are helping change negative public perceptions and build newly-found dignity, respect and self-confidence for waste workers. There is still a long way to go, but brand financing from plastic recovery is already shaping the way that waste workers are seen, and giving them a route out of everyday discrimination and harassment.

Unfortunately, women who work in waste management tend to be disproportionately marginalized. Challenging family circumstances often impact women’s ability to work, and the problem of gender-based income disparity contributes to their vulnerability in this sector. Instituting safeguards to improve the conditions of informal waste workers, especially women, is essential to turn this around. rePurpose Global has taken a lead on these issues. For a start, we have made a conscious attempt to channel plastic action funding towards women-led ventures. Furthermore, we work on the ground with our partners to ensure that each impact project meets standards for fair and equal pay, and provides a safe space for female workers to work – in accordance with the rePurpose Global Impact Code. These conditions are implemented across all rePurpose projects, providing women with a safe working environment, dignified employment and a fair income.

The social benefits of VPR go beyond the direct impact on waste workers. Building waste management supply chains in under-served communities means cleaner and healthier communities. Our projects serve at least 1 million people, who benefit from the improved collection and recovery infrastructure, and the wider effect of reduced plastic pollution - on land and in oceans - is enormous.

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Uncover more about the transformative impact rePurpose has delivered in our other blog posts. Learn how businesses can champion social impact through strategic financing and discover the impact of our initiatives.