Prevent Plastics

On September 25, 2024, we gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Prevent Plastics project and recognize the dedication of everyone involved in making this initiative a success. From its beginning in May 2020, this project faced numerous challenges, from delays due to the pandemic to the need for redesigns. Yet, these hurdles only strengthened our resolve and highlighted the resilience of our team and partners. Over the last four years, Prevent Plastics has made a lasting impact. We’ve introduced waste management systems to over 20,000 people in rural communities, collaborated with MSMEs and factories to adopt eco-friendly practices, and inspired a new generation of environmentally conscious youth through initiatives like YEAH and the EU Meet Up programmes. We’ve fostered strong partnerships, from communities, monastic education promoting awareness in their communities to CityMart Holding reducing the use of single-use plastics across their stores. As we reflect on these achievements, We are proud to announce the launch of the next phase: Prevent Plastics Plus. This new initiative will build upon our success, focusing on advancing a circular economy in Myanmar. Thank you to everyone who made Prevent Plastics possible. Your efforts have made a tangible difference, and we are excited to continue this journey with you through Prevent Plastics Plus. Let’s carry this momentum forward as we work together to create a sustainable future. Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar SWITCH-Asia Official sequa gGmbH

On October 5, 2023, the Youth for Environmental Action and Hope (YEAH) Program was launched, and by June 18, 2024, it returned for its second volume. The YEAH Program, a collaboration between Prevent Plastics and Thant Myanmar, aims to engage youth across Myanmar who are passionate about environmental conservation. Throughout the period, participants not only explored practical solutions for environmental sustainability also prepared for future careers. During the programme, the graduates participated in various activities such as team-building exercises, visits to recycling factories and social enterprises, debates, and movie evenings. To ensure that they could put their new knowledge to use, participants were grouped into teams of four to five members to implement their own projects. These projects allowed them to apply what they had learned from Knowledge Experts who shared their insights throughout the programme. As a result, many youth initiated positive changes toward environmental responsibility and began transforming their personal behaviours. This change expanded to collective group actions, eventually reaching their families, friends, and communities in a “butterfly effect” of impact. With the successful conclusion of YEAH Volume 2 on August 22, 2024, participants have begun applying their knowledge in real life, with some already entering the workforce. Each one, whether as a major contributor or in small ways, continues to support environmental conservation from their own corner. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of Knowledge Experts and Partner Organisations, to whom we are deeply grateful. As we reflect on the progress of YEAH Volumes 1 & 2, we proudly share photos from each step of the journey. Moving forward, we are committed to continuing this programme and supporting the growth of future YEAH initiatives. #YEAH #EUGreenDeal #WeSwitch Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar SWITCH-Asia Official sequa gGmbH

Prevent Plastics Myanmar has worked hard to raise public awareness about reducing plastic usage and its impacts and to empower communities in Myanmar to create cleaner, greener environments. To achieve cleaner surroundings, various methods were used to combat the unsightly presence of plastic, contributing to the creation of healthier communities. Once harmful plastics, which negatively affect all living beings, are removed, tree planting becomes essential to further enrich and sustain the environment. Just as a good tree can shelter countless birds, each tree's positive impact on the Earth is significant. This is why Prevent Plastics Myanmar initiated Tree-Planting Campaigns for both the current and future generations. As part of the Tree Planting Campaign, a tree was planted every time five plastic bags were reduced or Garnier Myanmar products worth 15,000 MMK were purchased at City Mart Supermarket Myanmar, Ocean Supercenter Myanmar, and marketplace by City Mart stores. The public actively participated in this campaign, rejecting plastic and planting trees across Myanmar in regions such as Bago, Kachin, Rakhine, Taikkyi, Ayeyarwady, Inle, and Southern Shan State. By collectively rejecting plastic, the campaign led to the reduction of a large quantity of plastic waste and the planting of 74,580 trees. This success was made possible not only by the collaborative efforts of CMHL and Garnier Myanmar but also by the responsible actions of each individual who supported and participated in reducing plastic usage. Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar SWITCH-Asia Official sequa gGmbH #PreventPlastics #WeSwitch #EUGreenDeal #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendly #PlasticWaste #WomenLedSMEs #preventplasticsmyanmar

Innovative solutions and a passionate commitment to nature are needed to reduce plastic usage and protect the environment effectively. The Responsible Market by Prevent Plastics has exemplified this throughout eight series. These markets featured responsible businesses that sold eco-friendly food and products, offering stylish and sustainable alternatives to harmful plastics. The goal was to introduce eco-conscious products that would appeal to the public while substituting plastics with attractive, applicable options. The Responsible Markets (series 1 to 8) included 128 vendors, each bringing unique products ranging from sustainable food items to fashion made from natural fibres, free of harmful chemicals. Thrift Fashion Markets were also organised to breathe new life into pre-loved clothing, promoting sustainability in fashion in collaboration with The Community, which established the output of the Responsible Market. Additionally, eco-friendly daily-use products, such as natural fibre bags and reusable items made from organic materials, were displayed, encouraging a plastic-free lifestyle. Visitors could participate in activities such as awareness sessions, art workshops, role-playing performances, and DIY crafts like making reusable bags and egg boxes. These markets took place in collaboration with CMHL and City Properties in Yangon, and in Popa and Taunggyi, in partnership with organisations like Parami University’s Environmental Club & မဟာဂီရိ. Over 23,000 people attended all eight events, connecting with responsible businesses and discovering eco-friendly alternatives. Prevent Plastics Myanmar is proud of its impact, nurturing a sense of responsibility among businesses and consumers alike. The success of these markets was a collective effort, thanks to the support and enthusiasm of everyone involved, including our super volunteers, responsible vendors & shoppers. Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar sequa gGmbH SWITCH-Asia Official #PreventPlastics #WeSwitch #EUGreenDeal #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendly #PlasticWaste #WomenLedSMEs #preventplasticsmyanmar

Over the past four years, with the support of Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar SWITCH-Asia Official Prevent Plastics, in partnership with Thant Myanmar, STENUM Asia and MAB, has worked to advance sustainable waste management practices in Myanmar. Through close collaboration, the project team developed and published comprehensive materials that have left a lasting impact at both rural and factory levels. One of the core achievements includes crafting detailed guides and handbooks on effective waste management systems. These publications have been designed to cater to the specific needs of factories and rural communities, ensuring that businesses and local populations can adopt practical, resource-efficient strategies to minimise & manage waste. The team, alongside MAB, produced a Green Loan Guide, which serves as a resource for businesses seeking sustainable financing solutions. Another notable achievement is the publication of the Doh Kyaung Teachers Handbook in collaboration with Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education. This handbook aims to instil a deeper understanding of sustainability and environmental responsibility in students, helping enable a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens. The publications can be found at https://lnkd.in/dHzPNNaG, and they are free to download. sequa gGmbH #PreventPlastics #WeSwitch #EUGreenDeal #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendly #PlasticWaste #WomenLedSMEs #preventplasticsmyanmar

We’re excited to share some incredible milestones under alternative packing pillar: 23,956 egg boxes produced and 9 Women-Led MSMEs were successfully established, empowering women entrepreneurs in the community. 50 MSMEs have sustainably implemented plastic reduction schemes, offering innovative alternatives to plastic packaging. Thirty percent of their customers embrace these eco-friendly solutions. 5,653 tote bags were distributed, contributing to a conjectured reduction of 2.8 million plastic bags used. ⁠The REPA Bag project, initiated by the Kokkoya Organics Farm team, is a community-driven initiative aimed at empowering women from low-income families. The project focuses on teaching these women to create recycled paper bags as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags, providing them with a sustainable source of income. over 16,000 pcs over the course of 12 months. Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar SWITCH-Asia Official sequa gGmbH #PreventPlastics #WeSwitch #EUGreenDeal #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendly #PlasticWaste #WomenLedSMEs #preventplasticsmyanmar

Digital platforms by Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar SWITCH-Asia Official's Prevent Plastics Myanmar, implemented by sequa gGmbH Ref-Track Platform The Ref-Track Resource Efficiency Workshop, launched on 2nd December 2024 with our project partner STENUM Asia, empowered SMEs to reduce waste, monitor material and energy efficiency, and visualize trends over time. With 90 SMEs registered, the platform is helping businesses achieve sustainability goals. Myanmar School App - "Little Genius" "Little Genius," a key segment of the Myanmar School App, raises children's environmental conservation awareness through lessons, stories, and activities. Since its launch on 28th February 2024, the app has reached 331,110 downloads, helping kids stay connected with school and learn about sustainability. Prevent Plastics funded the "Little Genius" segment, and the app is available for free on major platforms. A new processor is needed to sustain the app after the project's conclusion, If your organisation is interested in sustaining the app, kindly reach out to us, and we will share the details. Waste to Wealth Platform Launched on 26th May 2024, the Waste to Wealth platform fosters industrial symbiosis by connecting organisations to divert waste from landfills and marine ecosystems together with our project partner STENUM Asia. With 220 users, it promotes resource reuse through a bilingual interface, waste listings, and real-time chat. This project, in partnership with STENUM Asia, promotes regional sustainability and keeps waste in circulation as valuable resource. As Prevent Plastics concludes, these initiatives have set strong foundations for continued sustainability in Myanmar. #PreventPlastics #WeSwitch #EUinMyanmar #EUGreenDeal #circulareconomy #WRP #EAT #awareness #awareness #implement #managewaste

As the Prevent Plastics project completes, we proudly reflect on the progress in promoting sustainable waste management across Myanmar. In collaboration with Bokashi Myanmar and Thant Myanmar, Organic Waste Management systems have been successfully implemented in 11 locations. Additionally, Rural Waste Management programmes were established in 34 villages, and waste management initiatives in 31 monastic education compounds were carried out with the support of Phaung Daw Oo and Pann Pyoe Latt Monastic Education in partnership with Thant Myanmar. The setup process began with forming village-level waste management committees, empowering communities to take ownership of their waste management systems. Awareness-raising training, particularly for the youth, played a key role in motivating communities to embark on this journey toward sustainability. Together, the teams and committees determined the final waste disposal methods and action plans, tailoring solutions to the unique needs of each area. Monasteries have also been active participants, contributing to environmental responsibility and reducing plastic usage. As we conclude this project phase, our dedicated team remains committed to continuing efforts to reduce plastic consumption, promote responsible waste disposal practices, and protect the environment around them. The above-mentioned positive initiatives are implemented with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar, SWITCH-Asia Official- and project implementor sequa gGmbH. #PreventPlastics #WeSwitch #EUinMyanmar #EUGreenDeal #circulareconomy #WRP #EAT #awareness #awareness #implement #managewaste

As we conclude the Prevent Plastics project, we reflect on our remarkable progress towards sustainable waste management in Myanmar. Environmental Awareness Training (EAT) Programme Through our Environmental Awareness Training Program, we have successfully reached 814 factories with 565 training sessions, empowering 18,497 employees to embrace sustainable practices. With the dedication of our eight committed consultants, employees have become proactive agents of change, significantly reducing plastic use in their daily operations and beyond. A critical success of the EAT programme was its Plastic Sabbath Challenge, during which we collectively reduced 25 metric tons of plastic waste from individual consumption. This challenge inspired employees to rethink their plastic habits, proving the power of behavioural change in creating lasting environmental impact. Waste Reduction Programme Our Waste Reduction Programme provided in-depth consultation to 88 factories, of which 25 fully adopted resource-efficient practices. With the support of our seven expert auditors, these factories achieved the dual benefit of reducing operational costs while actively contributing to environmental preservation. The programme reduced 95 metric tons of plastic waste and 165 metric tons of fabric waste, further highlighting the tangible benefits of sustainable practices in industrial settings. These achievements were made possible with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar, SWITCH-Asia Official and project implementor sequa gGmbH, who ensured these programmes were free of cost with commitment & quality to SMEs and factories. #PreventPlastics #WeSwitch #EUinMyanmar #EUGreenDeal #circulareconomy #WRP #EAT #awareness #awareness #implement #managewaste

Opportunity at Prevent Plastics Plus We are looking for the following person as soon as possible Finance & Administrative Officer (m/f/d) Location: Yangon / Myanmar Assignment Period: presumably 01.11.2024 - 31.10.2027 Project: Prevent Plastics Plus https://lnkd.in/gqMN_jUq