Next to every recyclable plastic bottle there is a plastic bag, shoe, food packaging or other non-recyclable plastic that is not being collected because it has no market value and is therefore left in the environment. In Cambodia, plastic waste is colonizing the villages of Tomnup Rolork and Oh Vietnam, leaving inhabitants with a living space that has become an open-air garbage dumpsite. In 20 years, these villages have suffered with thick layers of plastic wastes and seen their waste increase with rivers flooded with Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP).

TONTOTON is addressing this particular issue by paying waste pickers for collecting non-commercially recyclable Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) and paying for the plastic waste treatment. TONTOTON is then selling plastic credits (OBP Credits), as the source of funding for its operation. The company provides a stable income to every waste picker participating in collection activities: one waste picker can earn about 15-25$ per day depending on the quantity collected, opposed to the current daily income of low-skilled workers of about 2.2$.

Once collected and weighted every piece of plastic waste is properly handled and treated through Co-Processing in cement plants, to serve as alternative fuel to coal thus ensuring the plastic is definitely out of the environment while reducing the CO2 footprint of the cement plant.

TONTOTON works with relevant agencies, NGOs, and the government to mobilise more waste pickers, deploy awareness and education campaigns