New life in exchange for caps

29 February 2024

Sustainable Development Goals

Short description

The initiative “New Life in Exchange for Caps” is being implemented by a private institution for the implementation of social, charitable and environmental projects “SocioEcoCenter”. The main goal is to provide support to children suffering from serious illnesses using funds received from recycling plastic caps. This activity was inspired by Turkish student Kustrim Ahmeti and his idea of collecting plastic caps for charity. Launched in Belarus in 2018, the initiative quickly found support among wide sections of society. More than a hundred schools, companies and organizations, including well-known brands such as Coca-Cola Beverages Belarus, Milavitsa, BelAZ, BMZ, Belaruskali, as well as the A-100 gas station chain and hypermarkets across throughout the country, contribute to expanding its scope and influence.

REGION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Minsk, Brest region, Vitebsk region, Gomel region, Grodno region, Minsk region, Mogilev region

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOPICS

Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management
Social Development

CONTENTS OF THE ACTIVITY

Every year, about 4,000 tons of waste are generated in Belarus due to unsorted and contaminated plastic caps. Disposal of such waste is expensive for waste treatment plants and requires considerable effort. the initiative “New Life in Exchange for Caps” aims to create a pre-sorting system for plastic waste at the household and business level. Clean and sorted caps are collected in special containers, which are then transported to waste processing plants. In addition to the environmental goal, the initiative also has a charitable goal: proceeds from recycling are used to financially support children with serious illnesses.

KEY STEPS OF IMPLEMENTATION:

Project initiation and team formation . The project starts with the creation of a team of activists and volunteers inspired by the ideas of a Turkish student. This step involves mobilizing resources and defining roles within the team.
Strategy development and partner search . Partners are being sought to expand coverage and improve the efficiency of cap collection. Despite initial refusals, the team’s perseverance leads to the establishment of partnerships with large enterprises.
Promotion through social networks and media . The initiative is actively promoted on social networks such as Instagram and VKontakte, as well as through the media to attract a wide range of participants and volunteers from various regions.
Production and installation of collection containers . The first batches of containers are made by activists, further production and installation of containers is supported by individuals and companies.
Organization of centralized collection and transportation . An application acceptance system is being introduced to optimize the collection and transportation of caps. Collected materials are temporarily stored until they are transported to processing plants. Large companies provide information and transport support for collecting caps throughout the republic.
Financing treatment for children . Proceeds from the sale of recycled plastic are used to support children with serious illnesses, including the purchase of medical supplies and equipment. For each child, a contract for the provision of charitable assistance is concluded.
Monitoring, reporting and development . The project maintains high standards of transparency by publishing reports on the distribution of funds and results. This helps to create a culture of responsibility and support among the population.
Expansion of the project . At this stage, the network of collection points is expanded, logistics processes are improved and new partners and volunteers are attracted to strengthen the effectiveness and reach of the initiative.

The presence of a significant charitable mission plays a key role in the implementation of the initiative “New Life in Exchange for Caps”. However, like any other volunteer project, it requires constant support and development for sustainable functioning. Key challenges facing the initiative include the challenge of regularly
sending large quantities of plastic caps for recycling and the need to scale the project with limited volunteer resources. Despite the active participation of a variety of volunteers and organizations, maintaining stable and productive work remains an important goal for the future.

RESULTS AND IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVE

The initiative “New Life in Exchange for Caps” is an excellent example of successfully combining innovative, environmentally responsible approaches with philanthropy and social support. During its existence, the project covered more than sixty settlements of the Republic of Belarus and collected over 100 tons of plastic, turning them into
funds to help more than 20 children suffering from serious illnesses. This experience highlights the importance of bringing communities together to address environmental issues and support the most vulnerable, demonstrating how volunteerism can bring measurable positive change to people’s lives and the environment.

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