THE WORLD OF WASTE COLLECTORS
A selection of stories, podcasts and interviews with the unsung heroes of the PET value chain.
Beyond recycling: how Atunlo’s incentive system is addressing both poverty and pollution in Nigeria
Atunlo’s innovative recycling incentives fight both poverty and pollution – PET Heroes 2025 nominee and co-founder Anita Odiete offers community members in Lagos a choice of rewards—cash, education, food, or health insurance—for plastic collected.
The guardian of the Nile: How VeryNile is creating environmental stewards through direct action
Very Nile transforms volunteers into environmental stewards through direct action – PET Heroes 2025 nominee Alban de Ménonville’s initiative removes one ton of plastic daily while creating a new generation of Nile guardians committed to long-term river restoration.
PET Heroes 2025: Meet the visionaries transforming plastic waste into social impact
From Nigeria to Egypt to India, these three remarkable innovators are reshaping how communities address plastic pollution while improving lives. Learn their stories and cast your vote for your favourite to help select the winner of PET Heroes 2025.
The ripple effect of systems change: how Plastics For Change is transforming PET’s value chain
Plastics For Change connects waste collectors with global brands through fair trade principles, creating cascading positive effects across the entire PET value chain while transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
Creating a regenerative path for PET: 5 actionable steps
Pioneering scientists and entrepreneurs are forging a regenerative path for PET plastic through nature-inspired biotechnology, waste collector empowerment, thoughtful design, innovative financing, and effective policies that together transform waste into valuable resources.
Lessons from a waste collector empowerment initiative
Discover how Thierry Sanders, founder of Kolekt, is empowering waste collectors globally through innovative solutions, financial empowerment, and technology. Learn key lessons from his work to improve livelihoods and tackle the plastic waste crisis at its roots.
The world’s waste collectors: unsung heroes of the Circular Economy
Waste collectors are essential in the fight against plastic pollution, yet their contributions are often overlooked. We explore how the PET industry can deploy a more inclusive approach to sustainability.
Dissecting the role of waste collectors in the PET value chain
Waste collectors, responsible for 60% of all plastic recycled, are on the frontline in the battle against plastic pollution and social entrepreneurs are showcasing the significant environmental and social benefits of integrating these eco-heroes into sustainable waste management systems, highlighting their essential role in the PET value chain.
8 Steps to Start Your Own Waste Management Initiative
Looking for inspiration on how to close the loop on plastic waste? Here are ten innovative environmental education initiatives and social enterprises that are transforming the way we think about and work with PET plastic.
PET Heroes 2024: Nominee #12 Chioma Ukonu
Chioma Ukonu, the co-founder of RecyclePoints, is our twelfth and final nominee for the PET Heroes 2024 award, thanks to her innovative approach to tackling Nigeria’s urban waste management crisis
PET Heroes 2024: Nominee #11 Peter Muthaura
Meet Peter Muthaura, our eleventh finalist for the PET Heroes 2024 and the driving force behind the Human Needs Project in Kibera, as he shares his innovative approach to transforming Africa’s largest slum through sustainable solutions.
PET Heroes 2024: Nominee #10 Khalil Radi
Our tenth finalist for the PET Heroes 2024 award is Khalil Radi, the innovator behind the transformative social enterprise “Buy Food with Plastic.
Lessons in Fundraising and Transparency from Buy Food with Plastic
Join us on the journey of “Buy Food With Plastic” as we sit down and talk to Khalil Radi and learn from his innovative project turning plastic waste into a force for good on three continents.
Nano Morante Shows How Plastic People Can Change the World
In this adaPETation® podcast, Nano Morante, founder of Plastic People, shares his experience transforming plastic pollution into sustainable solutions.
PET Heroes 2024: Nominee #8 – Nano Morante
Nano Morante’s social enterprise, Plastic People is reshaping the narrative on plastic in Southeast Asia by putting design and community at the heart of his solution to the waste problem in Vietnam.
