the issue


Plastic pollution is one of the most significant threats to our oceans and marine ecosystems. A substantial portion of the plastic manufactured today is intended for single-use purposes, and a mere fraction—less than 9%—undergoes the process of recycling. As alarming figures from the United Nations reveal, a staggering annual volume of around 8 million tonnes of plastic waste finds its way into our water bodies. If we persist on our present consumption trajectory, by 2050, the plastic in our oceans could surpass the fish population.This problem has particularly impacted developing nations, where effective waste management infrastructure is often lacking or inefficient. The most renowned illustration of this catastrophe is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—an agglomeration of discarded plastic across the ocean's surface, covering an area approximately three times the size of France.

WHAT WE ARE DOING TO FIGHT THIS

To stop plastic pollution, we must collect the plastic before it enters the ocean and embrace a circular model to recycle and reuse these elements. This is why, Plantifique has partnered with the Plastic Bank Foundation, an organization with a mission to “Transform Plastic Waste Into Empowering Income”.

The operations of Plastic Bank span across several nations including Haiti, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Egypt This organization partners with the indigenous communities in these regions to collect plastic waste within a proximity of 50 km to waterways and coastal regions that lead to the ocean. The local collectors receive a premium for the materials gathered which helps them provide basic family necessities, and collected material is reborn as Social Plastic which can be reused for new products and packaging as part of a closed-loop economy.

At Plantifique, with every single purchase you make, we rescue 1 plastic bottle from the ocean

“We stopped pointing fingers, and took action!” ⎯ Christina Gonta, Plantifique CEO

WHY DO WE SUPPORT THE PLASTIC BANK FOUNDATION?

At Plantifique, our dedication to sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We firmly believe that nurturing your skin goes hand-in-hand with the well-being of the earth, and this principle resonates through our products and practices. By meticulously selecting plant-based ingredients and adopting eco-friendly packaging, we ensure that each product reflects our commitment to minimizing our ecological footprint. We aim to empower individuals to make choices that not only enhance their skin's health but also contribute to the well-being of our Earth.We believe that the Plastic Bank resonates with our mission and that together we can truly make an impact. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change awarded the Plastic Bank the UN “Momentum for Change” Climate Solutions Award, thanks to their direct contribution to 14 of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

But we love their work for these 3 main reasons:

It’s Helping the Planet

By cleaning water pathways, natural basins can handle big storms better, which lowers the risks of flooding and landslides and thus maintains habitats and ecosystems. Marine life is protected against ingesting plastic which aids in the retention of biodiversity. Also, by decreasing the production of new plastics, the emission of greenhouse gases is minimized, which effectively addresses the climate change issue.

It’s Helping the People

Plastic Bank has helped over 5000 people in Haiti, Brazil, the Philippines, and Indonesia earn additional income by collecting plastic waste. The collectors exchange the recycled plastic for digital tokens that can be redeemed for basic necessities such as groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition, and health insurance. By creating new income opportunities, the most marginalized and poorest people can escape the poverty cycle. 

It’s easy to measure its impact

Plastic Bank has collected more than 93.4 million kg of plastic with 29 million kg in 2022 alone. The organization ensures accurate tracking by using blockchain technology and a personalized app that assigns digital coins to all the collectors that can be turned into money. To learn more about how the bottles are counted and how the tracking system works, check out this article or watch this video.

“Be A Part Of The Solution, Shop Sustainably!”