What does it take to foster long-term sustainability in low-income communities? Employees from QI Group Thailand recently shared knowledge and resources for trash management with an underprivileged community in Khlong Toei as part of a commitment to a greener future via our Employee Community Impact (ECI) initiative.
Plagued with plastics
Living alongside the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) train tracks, the neighbourhood of Khlong Toei and its inhabitants struggle with low income and a significant amount of ‘orphaned trash’ – a term used for materials such as single-use plastic, which are typically used and discarded without considering the impact on the environment or exploring sustainable opportunities for reuse. Despite previous garbage cleanup efforts, orphaned trash continued to be an issue, necessitating a new approach.
On the 26th of April, volunteers from QI’s Thailand office facilitated an engaging seminar for over 80 community members to help manage and reduce waste in the area. Along with sharing sorting methods, recycling practices, and exploring the different types of plastics and materials that can be recycled, community members also participated in an interactive workshop to upcycle single-use plastic waste into functional art and practical accessories such as woven bags and tissue boxes.
The ‘Plastic Press’ Initiative
In addition to creating woven bags and functional home accessories, a plastic press was introduced to the community to produce dense blocks, also known as eco-bricks, out of empty plastic bottles. These lightweight bricks are weather resistant, thermally insulated, and strong enough for garden features, art installations, and other small structures if compressed properly.
Equipping the community for plastic block production ensures a more sustainable approach to plastic waste management. Along with reducing the amount of orphaned trash in the area, proceeds from producing and selling these blocks will directly fund community projects, directly contributing to a cycle of sustainability and support.
New skills, new potential
Beyond the obvious environmental benefits of an upcycling and plastic press initiative, individual participants discovered that their new knowledge and skills have unlocked new opportunities.
One community member shared, “I learned a lot and had a great time doing the activities. We made tissue box holders from bottle caps and also turned plastic bags I would normally throw away into cute bags.”
Another attendee from the community, who confided that they used to sell bottle caps for 5 baht per kilogram, expressed excitement at the earning possibilities. “I can take these materials, repurpose them, and sell them at a higher price. It’s a great opportunity to earn from things that we would usually consider as ‘orphan trash’, a term I learned today!”
The hands-on experience also led to a better understanding of processes and their creative outcomes for another community attendee. “Normally, we just keep these waste materials without doing anything with them or they get thrown in the garbage. After attending this workshop today, I understand the process better and I know I can apply what I learned. While you can find information on Google, actually touching and working with the materials is definitely a different experience.”
The day’s activities concluded with the participants upcycling around 20 kilos of plastic waste – a promising outcome that spells a cleaner and greener future for the inhabitants of Khlong Toei!
Community comfort
Creating a more comfortable environment is crucial for productivity and motivation, especially during the hotter months of the year. To combat increasing temperatures and ensure that outdoor spaces remain conducive to community events and other daily activities, the QI Thailand staff also provided the community with two high-powered outdoor fans.
In addition, 40 households were provided with a supply of food and essential dry goods, to support the community and ensure their well-being as they practice their newfound knowledge and skills in plastic waste management and upcycling.
The QI Thailand team’s commitment to uplifting this community in Khlong Toei is grounded in the hope that with the right skills and resources, every community has a chance to thrive and contribute to sustainability in their own way.
