Regina Wangare’s Post

This story about The Body Shop’s partnership with Plastics For Change is such a great example of turning something as damaging as plastic into a force for good. Think about it - 100 million bottles worth of plastic that could have ended up polluting our oceans or clogging up our cities is now being repurposed into something useful. And it’s not just about reducing waste, it’s about ensuring the plastic we use has a life beyond its initial purpose. What I love most is how this initiative doesn’t just focus on the environment, it uplifts the people who are often overlooked in the waste management process - the waste collectors. The fact that these waste collectors are getting fair wages, protective gear, and access to health services makes this program feel so much more personal. And knowing that over 50% of the beneficiaries are women is even more powerful. For me, this is a reminder of what true sustainability looks like. It’s about balancing environmental impact with social change. https://lnkd.in/gvDbG2FY 

#Sustainable #products: Plastic waste to bags. We can surely do more will plastics waste. This video shows beautiful bags made from plastic packets waste and old cassettes providing a source of livelihood for men and women who make the bags while taking care of the environment. One thing to note in this video is that some plastic packets are too tough to be recycled especially at the local level and some will require equipments and technology that may be inaccessible for the locals especially in developing countries. However, recyclers are still finding innovative ways to deal with that challenge. What needs to be done: ✓For plastic packets for packaging, businesses have to design their products with recyclers in mind. ✓Help build economies of scale by supporting local projects which focus on recycling. ✓Businesses should focus on embracing circular economy practices to ease on recycling. ✓Financial and policy support for local projects that deal with recycling and community transformation. ✓Governments and development partners to invest in recycling technologies at the local level to ease recycling processes for local communities. ✓Boosting demand for recycled products at the local, national and global level. Follow Regina Wangare, let's keep practical sustainable programme/project initiatives conversations going.💪❤️

🌍 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭: 𝐀 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐒𝐆 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 🌱 In today's world, sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a necessity. We are excited to share insights on Plastic Credits and how they align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals! 🌟 What are Plastic Credits? 🤔 Plastic credits are tradable certificates representing a specific amount of plastic waste that has been recovered and recycled. They offer companies a way to offset their plastic footprint by investing in crucial recycling projects. ♻️ Understanding ESG: 🔹 Environmental (E): Reducing ecological impacts, including effective waste management. 🔹 Social (S): Emphasizing corporate social responsibility and community welfare. 🔹 Governance (G): Upholding ethical decision-making and regulatory compliance. How do Plastic Credits Work? 🛠️ Acquisition: Companies purchase credits from certified recycling projects. Verification: Ensures plastic recovery and recycling are legitimate. Impact: Supports waste management infrastructures and reduces plastic pollution. Why are Plastic Credits Important for ESG? 🌿 Environmental Benefits: Reduces plastic waste in landfills and oceans. Lowers carbon footprint associated with plastic production and disposal. 🤝 Social Benefits: Creates jobs in he recycling and waste management sectors. Promotes community health by reducing pollution. 📈 Governance Benefits: Encourages transparent reporting and ethical practices. Aligns with global sustainability goals and regulations. How Can You Get Involved? For Businesses: Integrate plastic credits into your corporate sustainability strategies. For Individuals: Support plastic credit initiatives and spread awareness. By investing in plastic credits, we help the environment, drive positive social change, and uphold strong governance principles. Let’s work together to create a sustainable future! 🌟🌍 Are you interested in starting your ESG journey? Reach out to 📧 info@harmonyinc.co or richa@harmonyinc.co. If you found this post insightful, please share it with others. For more updates, stay connected with Harmony INC. #Sustainability #ESG #PlasticCredit #CircularEconomy #CorporateResponsibility #Recycling #EnvironmentalImpact #SocialImpact #Governance Thank you Mathew Sujon Mondol for the edits. Nalanda University Muneer Magry, PhD

REFUSE - REDUCE - REUSE That's the mantra shared by none other than Amita Deshpande, an environmental activist who chose a path that was challenging but certainly possible. Last Friday, I had the privilege of meeting this incredible individual whose dedication to a sustainable future left a profound impact on me. It's disheartening how little we know about the things we consume daily—like plastic—and how much we overlook its impact. The session was truly an eye-opener. The pervasive use of plastic in our lives means we are essentially eating, drinking, and breathing it every day. It’s no surprise that it is one of the main causes of cancer. So, how do we combat this? That’s where reCharkha - The EcoSocial Tribe steps in, teaching the community to wage a battle against plastic. Refusing to use any plastic-based products is where it all starts. Reducing it by avoiding such products is the next step. Reusing it in as many ways as possible helps reduce its footprint. reCharkha is doing incredible work by reusing plastic waste and converting it into everyday materials. They also support the empowerment of rural women, who use their art and craft skills to transform this waste into valuable products. We need more people like Amita Deshpande on this planet—determined and passionate individuals who are committed to creating change and making the world a better place. I've embraced this mantra and I encourage more of you to do the same. #sustainability #saynotoplastic #savefuture #saveourplanet

https://lnkd.in/dmajrjYu Today, in our Earth Day week blog series we are putting the spotlight on Ocean Co's Impact engine—an initiative driving significant change for our oceans. This engine powers Ocean Bottle’s reusable products and partners with brands like GAIL's Bakery’s, Deutsche Bank, and Red Bull to fund vital ocean health projects in the global south. Ocean Co’s Impact engine has facilitated the collection of over 13 million kilograms of ocean-bound plastic, benefitting 8,700+ coastal communities. It goes beyond mere clean-up; it transforms lives in vulnerable areas. Partnering with coastal collectors, Ocean Co provides resources to remove plastic from waterways before it reaches the ocean. Collectors receive fair compensation and access to essential services like healthcare and education. The collected plastic is responsibly recycled or upcycled, ensuring zero waste to landfill. Since inception, Ocean Co has funded clean-ups across 345 sites, directly benefiting 6,489 families. This impactful work shows that sustainability is action, not just a concept. Let’s celebrate this citizen brand and make waves of change together. #plasticsvsplanet #earthday2024 #citizenbrands #beaforceforgood #sustainability #purposebrands #impactbrands

22nd April each year marks #EarthDay, and this year we rally behind the global theme of Planet vs. Plastics, a #commitment to #reduce 60% of our global plastic production by 2040, and to ban single use plastics by 2030 because recycling is not the answer to the plastic problem. These are bold commitments, and I do wonder if we are able to achieve it by those timelines. Only 9% of our daily-used plastics are ever actually recycled or sent to a waste-to-energy plant to be incinerated, and the rest of it ends up as toxic landfill that eventually leaches into our soil, and water affecting plant life, animal life and eventually making its way up the food chain affecting human lives. And surprise, surprise, over 700,000 synthetic fibers are released into wastewater when washing clothes, which are similar to the microbeads found in some of our cosmetic and beauty products. Thankfully good wastewater treatment facilities can filter up to 90% of the microplastics from their wastewater, but what happens to the remaining 10% and what about those countries lacking in good municipal wastewater management? What comes around goes around. On average, we consume about 5 grams of plastic in a week equivalent to the size of a credit card. Shocking, and no wonder the increase in hormonal illnesses, cancers, and cardiovascular system damages related to plastic consumption. So would we consider that as a bold timeline looking at the present #impact of plastics in our lives? My best guess is to act NOW. All facts quoted are from earthday.org and here are some handy tips too. 🚫 Pushing for bans on single-use plastics in our community 🎽 Reject fast fashion which often relies on the use of synthetic polymers 🛍 Support renewable and sustainable alternatives to plastic (e.g. bamboo fibres, cassava starch, etc) 📖 Educate yourself and spread awareness about the the harm of plastics 👭 Join a community clean up or organize your own clean up ♻ #Reduce, #Reuse, #Rethink, #Repair, #Recycle #earthday2024 #environment #onehealth

This #WorldEarthDay, all your efforts add up! ♻️ Every bit of plastic you have ever recycled is more than just ‘waste’. It has meant opportunity and growth. It has meant financial security for 3100 Safai Saathis. It has meant tons of recycled resources have returned to the supply chain for a new life. While recycling may not be the sole solution to the plastic crisis, it's a powerful weapon in our arsenal that: → Keeps waste out of landfills and oceans. → Reduces virgin plastic production. → Incentivizes innovation in recycling and regenerative technology. 💡 The plastic recycling sector employs over 1.5 million people in India, providing livelihoods and empowering the future of many families. But the picture is clear: each year, the world produces approximately 350 million metric tons of plastic waste. This pollutes our air, land, and oceans, impacting the health and well-being of our planet. 🌍 As we celebrate the Earth today, let's take a stand. Purchase mindfully. Recycle diligently. Choose reusable alternatives. Demand change from producers and governments. Comprehensive solutions like these are our edge in this battle. 🏆 Join us as we move towards a circular ecosystem where plastic is not the enemy but a resource. Source: Statista #ReCircle #EarthDay #Recycling #Plastic #Planet #BeTheChange #RecycleWithReCircle Rahul Nainani | Gurashish Singh Sahni | ReCircle

Women Leading the Change: Crafting a Plastic-Free Future #PlasticFreeFuture #WomenEmpowerment  #EcoFriendlyLiving #Sustainability  #ClothBagsForChange #ZeroWasteLifestyle #YouthVeerangnayen’s Vision in Action: * Empowering Women: Equipping women with sustainable stitching skill, providing them with economic independence, and helping them become champions of eco-friendly living. * Fighting Plastic Pollution: 🚫🛍️Every cloth bag we produce replaces harmful single-use plastics, contributing to a cleaner, healthier planet. * Spreading Sustainability: We educate and inspire communities to adopt zero-waste practices and choose reusable options for a greener future. ♻️ Through our handcrafted, eco-friendly cloth bags, we are not only reducing plastic waste but empowering women to drive change in their communities and beyond.

dss⁺ celebrated #EarthDay 🌍 this week on April 22 by coming together to discuss strategies to reduce #SingleUsePlastics, while learning how to repurpose #plasticwaste into pencil holders, plant pots, and other common household goods. Reducing plastic waste is complex, but sustained individual actions can drive meaningful collective change. #CircularEconomy

"The only impossible journey is the one we never begin" -Tony Robbins As Earth Day approaches on 22nd April, we are reminded of our collective responsibility towards environmental conservation and sustainability. This year's focus is on "Planet Over Plastics". It urges us all, especially those in corporate leadership, to reaffirm our commitment to the planet by integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies into the core of our business operations and offer a robust framework to contribute meaningfully towards combating plastic pollution. By doing so, we not only drive innovation and growth but also build a robust, sustainable business that can thrive in an eco-conscious market. Skepticism about sustainability efforts is often raised, but the importance of these initiatives is not just for the environment, but also for business as well.  There is potential for cost savings, enhanced brand reputation, and compliance with regulations. Small actions collectively make a significant impact, even if the outcome seems like a moonshot goal. Here’s how we can align our #ESG initiatives with the goal of reducing plastic waste: - Environmental Stewardship: Commit to significant reductions in plastic use within your operations. Set a target to reduce plastic waste by 60% by 2040, consider innovations in packaging, increased use of recycled materials, and alternatives to single-use plastics. - Social Responsibility: Educate and engage your workforce and community about the impacts of plastic pollution. Support and collaborate with local environmental groups to clean up affected areas. This not only aids the planet but also builds your brand’s reputation as a responsible business. - Governance and Compliance: Implement governance structures that ensure your commitments to reducing plastic are met. This includes regular ESG reporting and audits that are transparent and reflect genuine progress. Innovate, invest, and implement! We urge corporate innovators and startups to develop biodegradable alternatives that can replace conventional plastics. Encourage your networks to invest in green technologies and companies that are pioneering these sustainable alternatives. Adopt and advocate for policies both within and outside your organizations https://lnkd.in/evC6VCRy #EarthDay2024 #PlanetVsPlastics #ESG #Sustainability #CorporateResponsibility #RiseIQ #leadership