Meet the trailblazers of the PET Heroes 2024 award: from innovative recyclers to social impact pioneers, these nominees are reshaping our approach to plastic waste. Cast your vote to honor the most impactful environmental hero.
The PET Heroes 2024 award has unveiled an inspiring lineup of nominees, each bringing a unique approach to tackling the global plastic waste challenge.
From innovative recycling technologies and social enterprises transforming communities, to groundbreaking initiatives that turn plastic waste into valuable resources, these candidates exemplify the diverse and creative efforts being made to address environmental issues.
Among them are visionaries like Khalil Radi, Ruben Hazelzet, Cordie Aziz-Nash, Siddarth Hande, Dian Kurniawati, Keiran Smith, Nano Morante, Marta Uetela, Khalil Radi, Peter Muthaura and Chioma Ukonu.
Their projects span continents and sectors, showcasing the global commitment to sustainable solutions.
As we celebrate their achievements, we invite you to explore their stories, be inspired by their dedication, and participate in the crucial decision-making process.
Your vote has the power to highlight the most impactful initiatives, helping to determine which of these remarkable candidates will be honored as the winner of the PET Heroes 2024 award.
Join us in recognizing their contributions and cast your vote to support the change you wish to see in the world.
Ruben Hazelzet / Captain Fanplastic
Ruben Hazelzet, the visionary behind Captain Fanplastic, stands as our first nominee for the PET Heroes 2024 award.
Moving from the Netherlands to Cape Town, Ruben was struck by the beauty of South Africa and its contrast with the prevalent plastic pollution.
This spurred him to create a program that not only educates children about sustainability but does so through an engaging narrative centered around Captain Fanplastic, a pirate who sees plastic as treasure.
With the program now reaching 20,000 kids across 11 countries, Ruben’s initiative focuses on the four “arrrrghs” to instill a sense of responsibility and excitement about plastic reduction in young minds.
Through Captain Fanplastic, Ruben aims to change how children perceive and interact with plastic, encouraging them to reduce consumption and prevent environmental pollution.
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Captain Fanplastic
Ruben Hazelzet talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
Want to learn more about Ruben Hazelzet and Captain Fanplastic? Read all about them here?
Siddharth Hande / Kabadiwalla Connect
Siddarth Hande, the visionary behind Kabadiwalla Connect, is transforming waste management in Chennai, India, and beyond.
Leveraging the informal waste ecosystem, his social enterprise develops scalable solutions for post-consumer waste, aiming to integrate circular economy principles affordably.
Hande’s work, mapping waste management systems and advocating for the inclusion of informal sectors, has earned him a nomination as one of adaPETation’s PET Heroes for 2024.
His approach offers a cheaper, more inclusive model for cities in the Global South, emphasizing the critical role of informal waste pickers and aggregators in achieving sustainability and circular economy goals.
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Kabidawalla Connect
Siddharth Hande talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
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Codie Aziz-Nash / Environment 360
Cordie Aziz-Nash, founder of Environment 360, is an innovative flag-bearer for women waste pickers in Ghana’s battle against waste.
Her organization, born from a moment of realization about the normalcy of polluted beaches for local children, has grown into a multifaceted force for environmental change. By focusing on local solutions, Environment 360 has pioneered community recycling in Ghana, established the first waste picker-led sorting center in West Africa, and launched initiatives that empower female waste pickers economically while addressing plastic pollution.
Through storytelling and connecting with waste pickers, Aziz-Nash’s work exemplifies how localized actions can contribute to global sustainability efforts, making her another deserving nominee for the PET Heroes 2024 award.
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Environment 360
Codie Aziz-Nash talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
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Dian Kurniawati / Tridi Oasis
Dian Kurniawati, co-founder of Tridi Oasis, is revolutionizing the recycling industry in Indonesia by transforming plastic waste into valuable raw materials.
Her journey from a management consultant to an environmental entrepreneur led to the creation of Tridi Oasis, focusing on PET bottles and hard-to-recycle plastics.
Supported by Circulate Capital, Tridi has significantly scaled its impact, now processing 750 tons of plastic monthly. Kurniawati’s dual approach, combining Tridi Oasis with the Beach Cleanup Jakarta Community, aims to tackle plastic pollution from both the supply and awareness sides.
Her belief in collective action for environmental solutions and her emphasis on building a strong organizational culture highlight her holistic approach to sustainability. Nominated for adaPETation’s PET Heroes 2024, Kurniawati exemplifies leadership in creating a more circular economy and fostering environmental stewardship in Indonesia.
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Tridi Oasis
Dian Kurniawati talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
Want to learn more about Dian Kurniawati and Tridi Oasis? Read all about them here.
Reiten Cheng / Polyformer
Reiten Cheng, the inventor behind Polyformer, is revolutionizing the way we think about plastic waste and 3D printing.
His creation, a 3D-printed, open-source machine, transforms PET bottles into filament for 3D printers, offering a sustainable solution to plastic pollution.
Cheng’s journey from an industrial designer to an inventor reflects his deep commitment to addressing environmental challenges through innovative technology.
Polyformer not only simplifies the recycling process but also empowers global creators by providing them with a readily available supply of filament.
As someone on the autism spectrum, Cheng’s unique perspective has been instrumental in developing a device that is both functional and user-friendly, showcasing the potential for inclusive design in creating impactful solutions for our era.
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Polyformer
Reiten Cheng talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
Want to learn more about Reiten Cheng and Polyformer? Read all about them here.
Keiran Smith / Mr. Green Africa
Keiran Smith, the visionary behind Mr. Green Africa, has revolutionized the waste management sector in Kenya, turning plastic waste into a resource and offering hope for a sustainable future.
Transitioning from a banking career in Zurich to tackling waste management challenges in Kenya, Smith was inspired by the potential to make a tangible impact. Mr. Green Africa, the first B Corp in Africa’s waste management sector, stands out for its fair trade model, ensuring waste collectors are compensated transparently and equitably.
By localizing the conversion of collected waste into valuable materials, the company not only addresses environmental issues but also supports local economies.
Smith’s journey from the corporate world to environmental sustainability exemplifies the power of integrating global practices with local needs, highlighting how with innovation and commitment, we can make a difference.
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Mr. Green Africa
Keiran Smith talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
Want to learn more about Kerian Smith and Mr. Green Africa? Read all about them here.
Rodrigo Eidy Uemura / Litro de Luz
Rodrigo Eidy Uemura, the social entrepreneur behind the success of Litro de Luz, is pioneering a movement that illuminates Brazilian communities using PET bottles.
This social enterprise not only addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste but also tackles the lack of access to electricity for millions.
Uemura’s journey from an entrepreneur passionate about customer-centricity to a leader in social impact demonstrates the transformative power of innovative thinking and community engagement.
By leveraging simple, sustainable technologies, Litro de Luz exemplifies how environmental challenges can be converted into opportunities for societal advancement. Uemura’s work is a testament to the belief that organizational and human development are crucial for societal and environmental transformation.
Through Litro de Luz, he is lighting up lives, proving that with creativity and dedication, change is possible.
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Litro de Luz
Rodrigo Eidy Uemura talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
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Nano Morante / Plastic People
Nano Morante, founder of Plastic People in Vietnam, is number eight on the list of our finalists.
He was recognized for his innovative approach to tackling plastic waste in Southeast Asia.
Through Plastic People, Morante has developed a sustainable waste management system that not only recycles neglected plastic types but also empowers local communities by working closely with garbage collectors and reshaping people’s appreciation of waste.
His venture transforms collected waste into beautiful design materials for the built environment, promoting sustainability and economic benefits within the local community.
He and his team are also in the process of rebuilding after a fire ripped through their main recycling facility.
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Plastic People
Nano Morante talks with the adaPETation® Podcast
Want to learn more about Nano Morante and Plastic People? Read all about them here.
Marta Uetela / Biomec
Our ninth finalist for the PET Heroes 2024 award is Marta Uetela, a designer behind Biomec, a transformative initiative that marries environmental sustainability with healthcare solutions for amputees.
Biomec stands out for its innovative approach to tackling plastic pollution by recycling ocean plastics and fishing nets into prosthetic limbs.
This not only addresses the critical issue of plastic waste but also provides affordable, accessible healthcare solutions to communities in Mozambique, South Africa, and Angola.
Marta’s journey began from a personal connection to the need for prosthetics, leading to the innovative use of recycled plastics to create over 700 prosthetic limbs.
Through Biomec, Marta exemplifies how environmental challenges can be transformed into opportunities for social impact, making her a deserving nominee for the PET Heroes 2024 prize.
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Biomec
Marta Uetela talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
Want to learn more about Marta Uetela and Biomec? Read all about them here.
Khalil Radi / Buy Food with Plastic
Khalil Radi, our tenth PET Heroes 2024 nominee, is the driving force behind “Buy Food with Plastic,” a groundbreaking initiative that addresses both environmental and social issues.
Born in Switzerland with Moroccan and Spanish heritage, Khalil embodies the spirit of a global citizen, dedicated to making a tangible difference. His project, born out of a realization during a trip to Nicaragua, leverages plastic waste as a currency to combat hunger, demonstrating a sustainable model of giving back.
Khalil’s approach, focusing on community involvement and innovative recycling methods, has not only provided meals to those in need but also offered a novel solution to plastic pollution.
As “Buy Food with Plastic” continues to grow, Khalil envisions expanding its impact, creating jobs, and fostering a global movement towards environmental sustainability and social welfare.
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Buy Food With Plastic
Khalil Radi talks to the adaPETation® Podcast
Want to learn more about Khalil Radi and Buy Food With Plastic? Read all about them here.
Peter Muthaura / Human Needs Project
Our eleventh finalist for the PET Heroes 2024 award is Peter Muthaura, the Director of the Human Needs Project in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum, that is tackling environmental and social issues through an innovative solution. Residents can earn points by turning in plastic waste, redeemable for essential services like clean water and sanitation.
Considered Africa’s largest urban slum, with estimates of its population ranging from 200,000 to over 1 million residents, Kibera covers an area of about 2.5 square kilometers (0.97 square miles) near the city center of Nairobi. Living conditions in Kibera are extremely poor, with high population density, limited access to basic services like clean water and sanitation, poor housing structures, unemployment, and poverty.
The slum has limited infrastructure and municipal services, with open sewers, a lack of garbage collection, and residents obtaining water from kiosks or vendors. Despite the challenges, Kibera has a strong community spirit and informal economy, with residents operating small businesses and community organizations working to improve conditions.
The approach by the Human Needs Project connects two major challenges – plastic pollution and lack of access to basic amenities. By allowing plastic to be exchanged for services, it incentivizes waste collection while providing vital resources to the community.
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Human Needs Project
Want to learn more about Peter Muthaura and Human Needs Project? Read all about them here.
Chioma Ukonu / RecyclePoints
Chioma Ukonu, Our twelfth finalist for the PET Heroes 2024 award is leading the fight against environmental degradation through her transformative initiative, RecyclePoints.
With a rich background in environmental sustainability and social development, Chioma has spent over a decade championing circular economy practices, focusing on waste recovery, climate change mitigation, and empowering vulnerable communities.
As the co-founder and COO of RecyclePoints, Chioma has positioned the organization as Nigeria’s premier social-benefit entity, dedicated to recycling and environmental preservation. This initiative transcends traditional recycling programs, offering a revolutionary model that motivates community involvement in waste recovery. By turning everyday recyclable materials like PET plastic, cans, and glass bottles into valuable assets, RecyclePoints incentivizes sustainable living.
The issue of waste management, especially with the surge in PET plastic consumption, presents severe environmental challenges, including widespread pollution and the intensification of climate change effects. Lagos State, RecyclePoints’ initial focus area, produces an average of 9,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with a significant portion comprising recyclables that obstruct drainage systems, leading to flooding and health hazards.
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RecyclePoints
Want to learn more about Chioma Ukonu and RecyclePoints? Read all about them here.
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