Plastic pollution is an environmental emergency around the world but it has a particularly devastating impact in vulnerable countries like Haiti. Plastic bottles and food containers are common in Haiti, and rain washes a lot of it into the ocean, where it can kill fish, sea turtles and other marine life, and there are few plastic regulations in the country or modern facilities to recycle it so it won’t pollute the environment.

And now, with violent gangs controlling the capital, Port-au-Prince, the problem is getting almost no attention or resources. But a small social business called Valplast is trying to make a difference. Valplast was started by the environmental activist Nel-Ange St. Cyr while she was doing her university studies to recycle plastic by mixing it with sand to be make durable bricks that have been used to build everything from school benches to paved playgrounds for local communities. The group also works hard to educate young people in low-income neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince and get them involved in recycling and finding creative says to improve the environment.

My name is Everett Maass. I’m a high school student from North Carolina, currently studying at United World College in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the second year, I am trying to raise $500 to help Valplast offer a community recycling contest for young people aged 15 to 25 in Haiti. The goal is to inspire innovative and realistic recycling ideas that tackle plastic waste while benefiting local communities. The best and most feasible project idea will be awarded a prize and implemented with the support of Valplast. The winners last year used their prizes to set up recycling stations to collect plastic waste and raise awareness about the importance of keeping plastics out of the ocean. Please help make it a success again this year!

For information about Valplast and its work, please visit its website, Valplasthaiti.org.