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Make Laos Plastic Free

The Laos Plastic Bank

Our Mission:
The Laos Plastic Bank aims to promote plastic recycling in rural areas in South East Asia, starting with a small village of 700 inhabitants along the Nam Ou River in Northern Laos. The benefits of the plastic bank are twofold: while reducing plastic waste, the project provides monetary compensation to local citizens to improve their quality of living.

The Village:
The village lies in the Luang Prabang province in Laos and is about 3 hours from Luang Prabang city, a major tourist destination and UNESCO site. Currently, an estimated 700 inhabitants reside in the village. The village does not currently have any running electricity and relies on the river for its main water source (bathing, cooking, cleaning, and drinking). The village is estimated to consume over 500,000 plastic water bottles annually.

The Issue:
An estimated 80% of the world's plastic waste comes from nations with extreme poverty. In Laos, clean drinking water exists only in the form of plastic bottles. To further complicate matters, plastic recycling is virtually non-existent in Laos. 

Plastic is a relatively new concept in Laos and was introduced only a decade ago. Previously, Laotians used banana leaves which were then disposed of into the rivers or on the ground. Now, Laotians are doing the same with plastic, not recognising the dangers of their actions and the risks posed to the safety and well-being of the planet.

The Solution:
The Plastic Bank idea is modelled after the plasticbank.org business model which is already successfully implemented in Haiti, Philippines, and Brazil. 

The idea is simple. Local citizens collect plastic waste and receive a monetary compensation. The plastic is then sold to companies and recycled and repurposed into household products. The plastic bank idea promotes a circular economy and a more sustainable future.

The first phase of the project would include educational seminars to introduce the idea to local citizens and change the local attitudes towards plastic waste disposal. Next, a plastic bank building will be constructed to collect the plastic. Ideally, we would like to start construction by November 2018 to take advantage of the full dry season (rainy season runs from May to October and no construction can take place then).

The Impact:
The plastic bank will help recycle over 500,000 plastic water bottles annually and greatly improve the lives of 700 villagers living in Northern Laos. If proven successful, the project has the potential to be expanded to other villages within the area, and eventually throughout Laos and South East Asia!

About Us:
Janet Su is a PhD student in Climate Change Communication, Carbon Accounting, and Storytelling at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. Janet travelled to Laos in January 2018 where she volunteered at the local village. After witnessing the problems of plastic waste first-hand, Janet decided that something had to be done.

Janet met with Anousith Phonethesith, local business owner of Yensabai Water Factory (YWF), and the idea of the plastic bank was born. YWF provides clean drinking water to the Northern Laos region. 

Upon her return to Switzerland, Janet pitched the plastic bank idea to her university and received $1,500 in project funding from the University of Lausanne. Furthermore, Janet was graciously accepted to participate in the CGI U 2018 Conference hosted by the Clinton Foundation. The Laos Plastic Bank project was selected for exhibition as well as entrance in the CGI U 2018 Commitments Challenge.

The CGI U 2018 Commitments Challenge:
The CGI U 2018 Commitments Challenge runs from Monday, September 17 at 12pm ET through Thursday, October 18 at 2pm ET. Participating students will compete to raise funds for their CGI U Commitments to Action – new, specific, and measurable plans to address pressing global challenges. The winning team will be announced on stage on Saturday, October 20 at CGI U 2018 at the University of Chicago. Regardless of the winner, participants will keep all funds raised on their campaign throughout the duration of the challenge.

Expenses (in CAD): $5,100
Construction materials of plastic bank: $2,600
Labour costs: $1,200
Shipment of plastic to recycling facilities: $1,300

Donations will be accepted in Canadian dollars (CAD).

As of October 1, 2018, the exchange rates are:
1 CAD = 0.78 USD
1 CAD = 0.77 CHF
1 CAD = 0.67 EUR

The funds will be withdrawn into Janet's personal bank account in Canada.

Learn More About Us:
Please visit us at laosplasticbank.com  for further information.


This campaign is part of the 2018 Clinton Global Initiative University Commitments Challenge.

Organizer

Janet Su
Organizer
Markham, ON

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