Greiner and Plastic Bank to open plastic collection hubs in the Philippines

17 Aug 2020 --- Dutch rigid plastics manufacturer Greiner Packaging is collaborating with Plastic Bank to open plastic collections facilities in the Philippines, as part of its efforts to boost plastics’ environmental sustainability profile. The move seeks to create a circular economy for plastics, reduce waste and boost the local economies, as Plastic Bank’s collectors receive a bonus for the plastic they collect, providing an increased income they can count on. Greiner Packaging notes that it is “committed to supporting the activation” of five collection points in Manila.

“We’ve seen the situation on the ground, and it’s gratifying to see that the ecosystem we’re supporting in Manila is playing an important role in the fight against ocean plastic. This project demonstrates how a circular system can actually work. The collectors drop off the plastic and it’s sorted before being processed into granulate. The granulate is sold to manufacturing companies, who want to use recycled materials in their products or packaging,” explains Michael Frick, Global Key Account Director at Greiner Packaging.

The move seeks to create a circular economy for plastics, reduce waste and boost the local economies.Plastic Bank is a social enterprise committed to stopping ocean plastic while providing opportunities for brands to have environmental and social impact. It says it seeks to empower the world to stop ocean plastic. The organization builds ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities and reprocesses the materials for reintroduction into the global manufacturing supply chain. Plastic Bank’s collectors receive a bonus for the plastic they collect, providing an increased income they can count on. This recycled material is called “Social Plastic” because it provides both an environmental and social benefit.

Plastic waste takes up a significant share of the pollution in the world’s oceans. In particular, Asian countries are seeing a massive accumulation of ocean waste due to a lack of functioning waste management systems, according to Greiner Packaging. The Philippines is the world’s third-largest producer of plastic waste, after China and Indonesia. An estimated 2,000,000 metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year just in the Philippines. Experts believe that the country’s Pasig River is alone responsible for introducing nearly 64,000 metric tons of plastic waste into the ocean every year.

As a packaging company, Greiner Packaging is aware of its responsibility toward nature and society and ocean pollution is considered one of the greatest environmental challenges society faces today.

“We are a family business. As such, we’ve made it our mission to preserve our world for future generations. This is a very ambitious goal, of course, and we’re doing everything we can to help achieve it,” says Manfred Stanek, CEO of Greiner Packaging.

Away with plastic, up with income sources
When Greiner Packaging began its search for a project partner to fight marine littering, Plastic Bank stood out as a candidate for collaboration. The plastics experts from Greiner Packaging were particularly impressed by the company’s vertically integrated approach. “Collecting plastic refuse combats poverty in addition to cleaning up the environment and making a key contribution toward a circular economy. Our shared goal is to prevent plastic from flowing into the oceans while lifting people out of poverty,” explains Stanek.

Plastic Bank says that its collectors no longer see plastic as waste, but rather as a valuable resource. This is a vital step toward stopping ocean plastic pollution. By providing collectors access to increased income, educational opportunities, and necessities, Plastic Bank seeks to empower disenfranchised communities to build a better future – not just in the Philippines, but also in Haiti, Indonesia, Brazil and Egypt, the organization notes.

“We’re happy to be partnering with Greiner Packaging because the company is aware of the gravity of the situation and is committed to working together to empower communities to stop ocean plastic. Plastic Bank is making a difference and building a regenerative economy,” says Gidget Velez, Plastic Bank’s Philippines Country Manager.

Edited by Kristiana Lalou