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<strong>Seized about the ever-increasing mountain pile of plastic waste, a group of enthusiastic recyclers in the Philippines have come up with a win-win solution. They are turning bottles, single-use sachets and snack food wrappers that are choking up the rivers and defiling beaches and coastal areas into something useful like building material.</strong></p>
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According to a report in news18.com, this group called the Plastic Flamingo, or &ldquo;The Plaf&quot;, as they are popularly known as, collect all types of plastic waste, shred it and then use this shredded material to mould planks and posts. These are called &ldquo;eco-lumber&quot; which can be gainfully used to create fences, decks and even disaster-relief shelters.</p>
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Talking to Reuters, Plaf&rsquo;s Chief Operating Officer, Erica Reyes said: <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/in-major-ocean-polluter-philippines-group-turns-plastic-waste-into-planks-4362245.html">&ldquo;(It) is 100% upcycled material, 100% made from plastic waste materials,</a>we also include some additives and colorants and it is rot-free, maintenance-free, and splinter-free.&rdquo;</p>
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The enterprise so far has collected more than 100 tonnes of plastic waste, and is doing its bit to address a local problem whose consequences are global in nature.</p>
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A 2021 report by Oxford University&rsquo;s Our World in Data stated that approximately 80 per cent of global ocean plastic comes from Asian rivers with the Philippines contributing a third of that total. The plastic pollutants adversely affect and endanger the country&rsquo;s rich marine life and resources.</p>
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The United Nations Environment Programme stated that nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced annually. Moreover, the two waves of Covid-19 pandemic have contributed to increase plastic waste as there is a hike in both usage and disposal of plastic gloves, face shields, takeaway food vessels and bubble wrap.</p>
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Talking about this issue, Plaf&rsquo;s Marketing Associate, Allison Tan remarked: &ldquo;People are unaware of how to dispose of these plastics. We give that avenue that instead of putting it in landfills or oceans&hellip;you give it to recycling centres like us and we would upcycle them into better products.&quot;</p>
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The organisation is also in talks with non-government organisations to help them rebuild houses destroyed by typhoons using the sustainable building materials produced by them.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/culture-news/art-exhibits-in-indonesia-made-of-plastic-waste-from-beaches-drive-home-message-to-cut-pollution-119100.html">Art exhibits in Indonesia made of plastic waste from beaches drive home message to cut pollution</a></strong></p>
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