I’m currently in Lesvos, Greece, volunteering in support of refugees. The main camp, Moria, was meant for 3000 people. It currently inhabits over 14,000 is desperately appalling conditions. It’s filthy, unhealthy and dangerous. Mental health problems are prevalent, young people are selling their bodies to buy food and others have been killed. Yet, there are a lot of resilient people here who deserve dignity and empowerment.
Adding to the misery is a colossal plastic waste problem. The Greek authorities hand out 2 plastic bottles of water a day per person. That’s 28,000 PLASTIC BOTTLES A DAY (my own unofficial figure based on the numbers above).
The waste is everywhere. I started a crowdsourcing campaign for ideas as to what we can do about it and somebody suggested Precious Plastic. Another problem is a lack of purpose and motivation for people in the camp, despite their wealth of skills they have collectively.
**A Solution?
**A plastic waste processing centre (like a shipping container) where residents can process plastic and turn them into products to sell, as demonstrated in Precious Plastic’s nifty little video. Online shops work great in other camps where residents make clothes and jewellery etc. Why not for recycled plastic bowls, rings, phone cases etc.?
What’s Needed
I know nothing about waste management or plastic recycling. I really need the help of people who know what they’re doing and want to put their skills to use in a massively beneficial way. Where do we find the facilities, the shipping container and the money?
This is an idea I’ve just had. We have people locally who run carpentry, craft and other workshops. There’s a ‘low-tech solutions’ organisation too so there are people with skills. Many NGOs have experience of dealing with shipping companies too. If you’re interested in improving a plastic problem and making the hell these people live in a little bit more bearable, please reach out.
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