This is the seventh centre established since the launch of our 25 by 2025 initiative– an ambitious mission to open 25 collection centres on coastlines at-risk of plastic pollution worldwide by 2025. Seven more have broken ground.
Each year, at least 8 million tonnes of plastics leak into the ocean – the equivalent of one garbage truck being dumped into the water every minute. The theme for UN World Oceans Day 2024 is “Awaken new Depths”, aiming to motivate widespread momentum for the ocean by exploring new depths of understanding, compassion, collaboration, and commitment. By driving momentum for plastic recycling on coastlines vulnerable to plastic pollution, Prevented Ocean Plastic™ offers a scalable, repeatable model which can help to prevent damage to our oceans and marine life.
Makassar is in Sulawesi, an island province difficult to access logistically, making it particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. The new centre will develop efficient waste management infrastructure, helping to address growing volumes of waste in the region, create reliable income opportunities with dignified working conditions and support the supply of certified and traceable premium quality recycled plastic to global markets. It is expected to process 500 tonnes of plastic waste per month and provide 50 direct jobs to local people.
Zubaidah, a bottle collector in Indonesia who has become a business owner via Prevented Ocean Plastic™ South East Asia, said, “After visiting Prevented Ocean Plastic™ I learned the real price of collected plastic bottles. When selling directly to Prevented Ocean Plastic™ I earn more for what I collect.
I started my business by asking other collectors at the Prevented Ocean Plastic™ training to join me. I know they work hard and I wanted to appreciate their work with a fair price.”
Funding for the centre came from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Clean Cities Blue Ocean initiative and follows the model of Prevented Ocean Plastic™’s collection centre in Semarang, Indonesia, also funded by USAID.
Clare Romanik, USAID’s Lead Ocean Plastics and Urban Advisor, said, “USAID is proud to partner with Prevented Ocean Plastic™ Southeast Asia to build an inclusive circular economy across Indonesia. This partnership demonstrates the power of blended finance as a model to scale solutions to the plastic crisis.”
