CYCLE FOR RECYCLING

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CREATE LIVELIHOODS l REDUCE POVERTY l REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE

In August 2022, Duncan Power, CEO of Dana Asia, will take on a 3,016km solo bicycle ride from Adelaide to Darwin along the desolate Stuart Highway to raise funds for a new social business project in the Philippines that will bring new livelihood opportunities to impoverished communities while reducing plastic waste.

Globally, COVID-19 has plunged an estimated 100 million people into extreme poverty. In the Philippines, many have lost their livelihoods in the pandemic and find themselves in increasing debt, making it impossible for the most vulnerable to lift themselves out of poverty. At the same time, the Philippines faces a climate crisis. The Philippines contributes an estimated 0.75 million metric tons of mismanaged plastic into the ocean every year: the third largest contributor in the world. Climate change is causing increasingly extreme weather with severe typhoons threatening the homes and livelihoods of many communities. 

This new project will see the setup of a recycling hub in a social housing development to collect plastic waste from local households and businesses to recycle into eco-bricks. It will also use microfinance and skills training to facilitate the establishment of new businesses as livelihood opportunities for urban poor families. The project has two key objectives:

1. ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY: Through the establishment of a recycling hub to reduce plastic waste and improve the natural environment in urban poor communities.

2. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: By creating jobs in impoverished communities and strengthening local microentrepreneurs through capacity building and microloans to support the setup and scaling of sustainable small businesses.

Working in partnership with the Rotary Club of Gawler Light in Australia, the Rotary Club of Manila, Grameen Pilipinas Microfinance Inc, and technical partners in-country the project will improve livelihoods, food security, and local ecology through the elimination of plastic as an environmental hazard while stimulating business activity.

Every 15km cycled will fund 1 microfinance loan for an aspiring microentrepreneur to start her own business. For each 1km cycled, 1.5kgs of single-use plastic will be recycled, preventing it from contaminating natural water sources.

With a total fundraising target of 110,000 AUD, we need your support. Pledges can also be made directly to Dana Asia (not through GoFundMe).

Please consider pledging your support now and share some words of motivation for Duncan!