Plastic
A blessing and a curse
The cheap and malleable material conquered us at breakneck speed, but it soon became clear that the flood of plastic was getting out of control.
From an innovation to a global problem
The history of plastic
Plastic is a colloquial term for materials of synthetic origin and its history dates back to 1530.
Plastic is produced through the polymerization of organic raw materials such as crude oil and natural gas. Until the middle of the twentieth century, plastics production occupied a manageable niche which, however, gained momentum due to its properties and its spread. Although it was known that plastic was harmful to both the environment and health, innovation in the petrochemical industry was exploited to maximize profits. Plastic had the reputation of being a chic, clean and modern product which has driven the plastic boom and now, with an annual production of 400 million tons, is omnipresent in the everyday life of many people!
Due to a lack of waste management systems and poor environmental education, plastics, plastic waste and microplastics end up in the environment and pollute it.
PLASTIC IN THE SEA
Gigantic carpets of plastic waste cover the surface of our oceans. Plastic in the sea is one of the greatest challenges of our time. But where does all this plastic waste come from and what are its consequences?
RECYCLING
Humanity consumes a lot of waste. Plastic waste in particular is generally easy to reuse or recycle. You can find out what types of plastic there are and how we recycle in Indonesia here.
ECOBRICK
Have you ever seen a bottle like this? This bottle filled with plastic waste is ideal as a building material. How do you collect enough of these Ecobricks to build a house, for example? Or even a whole village?
THE LARGEST RECYCLING VILLAGE IN THE WORLD
To prevent plastic waste from spreading further into the environment, we put it in plastic bottles! Thanks to our innovative construction method using local and mostly natural materials, plastic waste is given a new use as a building material.
Since 2019, a special place has been created at the gates of the Sumatran rainforest. Here, global challenges are communicated in a tangible way and solutions are established. People, nature and animals are helped in this holistic project concept.
YOU WANT TO
HELP?
Are you on Team Jungle, Team Tiger or the Plastic Conquerors?
With targeted fundraising campaigns, you decide where your help goes. Support us and become part of the largest recycling village in the world. As a Wings member, you can also expect many benefits!
Partner alliance
against wild plastic waste
These corporate partners are already committed to a cleaner planet. They collect at least as much plastic waste as they consume or produce themselves. Some even collect twice as much plastic waste! Many of us are committed to a clean planet regardless of this.