207 lines
9.2 KiB
Plaintext
207 lines
9.2 KiB
Plaintext
---
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title: Collecting plastic in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
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slug: collecting-plastic-in-arugam-bay-sri-lanka
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description: This guide explains how we addressed waste collection in a growing tourist area. As tourism increases waste production beyond local capacity, it is essential to establish improved collection systems.
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tags: ["research","collection","sorting"]
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category: Guides
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difficulty: Hard
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time: 1+ months
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location: Pottuvil, Sri Lanka
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---
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import { Image } from 'astro:assets'
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# Collecting plastic in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka
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<Image src={import('./wlab-02.jpg')} alt="Collecting plastic in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka" />
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This guide explains how we addressed waste collection in a growing tourist area. As tourism increases waste production beyond local capacity, it is essential to establish improved collection systems.
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User Location: Pottuvil, Sri Lanka
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## Steps
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### Step 1: Arugam Bay
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Located in Arugam Bay, a small town of 150 residents on Sri Lanka's east coast, the local economy relies heavily on tourism and seasonal fishing. However, effective waste management is lacking. During the tourist season, municipal waste management capacity is overwhelmed by tourism-related businesses, resulting in increased plastic waste burning by locals. Additionally, businesses incinerate large piles of plastic bottles due to high tourist consumption.
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<Image src={import('./PET_and_palm_1.JPG')} alt="PET and palm 1.JPG" />
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<Image src={import('./Beach_clean_2.jpg')} alt="Beach clean 2.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./Before_-_no_collection_means_cleaning_efforts_result_in_burning.jpg')} alt="Before - no collection means cleaning efforts result in burning.jpg" />
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### Step 2: What is Wasteless Arugam Bay (WLAB)
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### WLAB Overview
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Founded in 2018 with support from a USAID grant, WLAB focuses on resource management, plastic collection, and educational programs in schools, transforming plastic waste into products. Our team consists of three full-time employees.
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<Image src={import('./PET_delivery_to_Eco_Spindles.jpg')} alt="PET delivery to Eco Spindles.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./kNOw_PLASTICS_certificate_ceremony.jpg')} alt="kNOw PLASTICS certificate ceremony.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./WhatsApp_Image_2020-02-27_at_09.07.49.jpeg')} alt="WhatsApp Image 2020-02-27 at 09.07.49.jpeg" />
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### Step 3: Our strategy
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Our strategy involves collecting clean PET bottles from local sources. We sell these bottles to industry partners, retaining PE caps for our production. Occasionally, we participate in beach cleanup activities.
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<Image src={import('./PET_at_site.jpg')} alt="PET at site.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./Beach_clean.jpg')} alt="Beach clean.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./shredded_waste_plastic.jpg')} alt="shredded waste plastic.jpg" />
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### Step 4: Our space
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Our facility in central Arugam Bay comprises two 20 ft (6.1 m) shipping containers with convenient access to the main road, frequented by tourists. This location enhances our visibility for educational purposes.
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<Image src={import('./Tourists_experience_recycling.jpg')} alt="Tourists experience recycling.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./Project_site_by_night.jpg')} alt="Project site by night.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./Children_watching_info_videos_on_site.jpg')} alt="Children watching info videos on site.jpg" />
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### Step 5: Focus on tourists
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We decided to collect plastic from the tourism industry due to its large volume of PET bottles, which are in high demand for polyester yarn production in Sri Lanka. These bottles are easy to handle since they are clean, and the caps are suitable for various machines. This approach also helps reduce landfill waste from PET bottle disposal.
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<Image src={import('./recycled_Polyester_yarn_for_testing_in_handloom_2.jpg')} alt="recycled Polyester yarn for testing in handloom 2.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./shredded_bottle_caps.JPG')} alt="shredded bottle caps.JPG" />
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<Image src={import('./Storage_shed_filling_up.jpg')} alt="Storage shed filling up.jpg" />
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### Step 6: Provide alternatives
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Our public water refill system allows free access for everyone. Ultimately, we aim to reduce the number of bottles needing collection. A tourist destination free of plastic bottles is preferable to one with a substantial PET bottle collection.
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<Image src={import('./IMG-20200114-WA0009.jpg')} alt="IMG-20200114-WA0009.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./IMG_4944.JPG')} alt="IMG_4944.JPG" />
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### Step 7: Bins
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We have placed over 60 bins around town at locations such as hotels, restaurants, resorts, mosques, and shops. Although initially free, we now consider implementing a deposit system. Each bin is attractively painted and includes a prominent sticker indicating the type of plastic collected, along with a message encouraging exploration of alternatives.
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<Image src={import('./Collection_barrel_wit_sticker.png')} alt="Collection barrel wit sticker.png" />
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### Step 8: Benefits for partners
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### Markdown
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As awareness of plastic waste grows, it is important for businesses to demonstrate action. Therefore, convincing business owners to adopt our bins is straightforward. A reliable staff member should communicate with businesses to establish trust in our efforts.
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<Image src={import('./Collection_at_remote_beach.jpg')} alt="Collection at remote beach.jpg" />
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### Step 9: Transport
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To collect and transport resources, we modified a traditional tuk tuk with distinctive illustrations by a local artist for a unique appearance.
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<Image src={import('./Collection_vehicle.JPG')} alt="Collection vehicle.JPG" />
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<Image src={import('./WLAB_Three_Wheeler_4.jpg')} alt="WLAB Three Wheeler 4.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./WLAB_Three_Wheeler_1.jpg')} alt="WLAB Three Wheeler 1.jpg" />
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### Step 10: Daily collection
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We regularly use our tuk tuk to gather plastic from various locations. During peak tourist season, collections are made daily due to increased volumes.
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<Image src={import('./Unloading_PET_collection.jpg')} alt="Unloading PET collection.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./Bottle_flying_onto_tuk.jpg')} alt="Bottle flying onto tuk.jpg" />
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### Step 11: Volumes
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Monthly, we collect about 1 ton (approximately 2,205 pounds), a small portion of the available material. Gathering more from the local community is challenging despite the potential to collect over 4 tons (about 8,818 pounds) of PET monthly. The primary issue is that collection costs are high and PET prices remain low.
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<Image src={import('./Storage_shed_filling_up.jpg')} alt="Storage shed filling up.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./PET_at_site.jpg')} alt="PET at site.jpg" />
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### Step 12: Sorting
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Upon arrival at the workspace, bottles are sorted to separate caps from PET bottles, placing each in designated containers. Staff typically perform this task, occasionally assisted by tourists.
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<Image src={import('./Green_bottle_lids.JPG')} alt="Green bottle lids.JPG" />
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<Image src={import('./Orange_bottle_lids.JPG')} alt="Orange bottle lids.JPG" />
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<Image src={import('./Blue_bottle_lids.JPG')} alt="Blue bottle lids.JPG" />
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### Step 13: Baling
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To optimize transport efficiency, we bale our PET bottles, allowing for more effective shipping. Each bale comprises 700 to 800 bottles and weighs approximately 23 kg (50.7 lbs).
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<Image src={import('./baled_PET.JPG')} alt="baled PET.JPG" />
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### Step 14: Products
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Collected PE bottle caps are transformed into products such as key rings, surf wax combs, buttons, and buckles. These products are used internally or sold to individuals and wholesalers.
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<Image src={import('./recycled_plastic_buckles.jpg')} alt="recycled plastic buckles.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./recycled_plastic_souvenier_2.jpg')} alt="recycled plastic souvenier 2.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./Recycled_plastic_button.JPG')} alt="Recycled plastic button.JPG" />
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### Step 15: The money bit
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We offer complimentary bottle collection from hotels and resorts, including the provision of collection bins. The collected PET is then sold to the industry at 55 Sri Lankan Rupees per kilogram (approximately 0.26 euros or 0.30 USD). Our products made from bottle caps generate significant profit. Adding value to materials improves margins, while bulk sales of raw materials require large volumes due to low profit margins.
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<Image src={import('./IMG-20181115-WA0011.jpg')} alt="IMG-20181115-WA0011.jpg" />
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<Image src={import('./IMG-20181115-WA0014.jpg')} alt="IMG-20181115-WA0014.jpg" />
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### Step 16: Connecting with the industry
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Sri Lanka has advanced facilities capable of converting PET into polyester yarn. However, a single company dominates the market, making it difficult to negotiate competitive prices. This situation is similar for glass, with just one buyer controlling pricing.
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<Image src={import('./IMG-20181115-WA0005.jpg')} alt="IMG-20181115-WA0005.jpg" />
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### Step 17: The 3 most important things to start
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### How to Start a Collection Operation
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Operating efficiently for two years, we recommend the following essentials for initiating a collection operation:
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- A dedicated team
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- Adequate space
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- A well-chosen target area
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For effective collection, the objective is to gather maximum materials with minimal travel. Tourist areas are ideal due to the high concentration of waste generated by many people in a confined space.
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We hope this guidance assists you in starting your operation. Enjoy the accompanying video illustrating our process.
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