If there’s one thing that everyone is sure of, it’s the seismic shift in the environment caused by climate change.
The PlaF or The Plastic Flamingo is a social enterprise eco-warrior based in the Philippines that collects and transforms plastic waste into sustainable materials to build housing and shelters.
The social enterprise aims to make its contribution to the country to sustain its resilience against natural hazards through recycled products.
Aiming to be part of the solution to minimize the single use of plastic waste, it maximized the use of plastics through remaking a product to repurpose its use. The PlaF with CMA CGM, a shipping logistics firm, collects 2,000 tons of plastic waste annually and creates products to directly sell to companies creating a greener space for public consumption.
The PlaF produces and sells eco-lumbers and eco-boards which are used to form coasters, tables, benches, racks, and containers. It assures consumers that it produces 100 percent products recycled from plastic waste that are durable, and splinter-proof and termite-free.
Its products also passed the ASTM D6662-17 or the Standard Specification for Polyolefin-Based Plastic Lumber Decking Boards, making sure that both eco-lumbers and boards are safe to use for constructions and sturdy enough to withstand hazards.
One of its ongoing projects is the garden post in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, which accumulates 50kgs of recycled plastics.
coasters made from recycled plastic wastes.
With this kind of non-government organization that promotes and offers a sustainable alternative construction material that contributes to building resilient structures, it encourages companies to find ways to reduce the use of plastics and choose a greener side of dealing business.
The Plastic Flamingo offers to be an Extended Producers Responsibility Partner to different line of companies in line with the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, or Republic Act 11898, the first amendment to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act which manufacturers should aim for plastic-neutrality in 10 years.
The Philippines is among the top three countries that contributes to plastic waste, and over 17 billion plastics are being thrown away in the ocean, making a plastic crisis a serious issue that the country needs to address.
“Our work at The PlaF consists of collecting, segregating, transforming, and designing plastic for reuse. We make practical construction materials out of plastic, like eco-lumber and eco-boards. This ensures that we are able to recycle plastic and at the same time help reduce the use of precious resources like wood or minerals to make furniture or even shelters,” said The PlaF chief operating officer Erica Reyes during their renewal of partnership with Mondelez International and Megaworld Corporation in promoting the circular economy.
Currently, The PlaF has 40 collection sites from malls, condominiums, fast food chains, schools, etc. Visit theplaf.com/collectplastics to donate your plastics and be an eco-warrior.