Bintan's Social+ OBP Certification: What It Means for Waste Workers and Oceans

Welcome to Suits & Tides, the sustainability newsletter with more knowledge than microplastics in the ocean! In this episode, Welcome to Suits & Tides, the sustainability newsletter with more knowledge than microplastics in the ocean! In this episode, we’re excited to share a major achievement for Seven Clean Seas: our Bintan project has been certified as a Social+ Ocean Bound Plastic project. Curious about what this means and why it’s such a big deal? Let’s break it down and explore how this certification is changing the game.

Tom Peacock-Nazil and Pamela C. , started Seven Clean Seas back in 2018 with very tiny beach cleanups in Singapore. Armed with gloves, and a few trash bags - they simply couldn’t have imagined just how far those small-scale cleanups would take them!

Fast forward to today. Not only have those tiny cleanups turned into a plastic waste recovery & treatment behemoth that has already removed millions of kilograms of plastic waste from the environment, but we’re elated to finally announce something that we quite possibly take more pride in!?

Our project site in Bintan, Indonesia is now officially certified as a Social+ Ocean Bound Plastic project!

Now, if you’re not too familiar with the inner workings of the plastic waste management sector, this last statement might seem extremely underwhelming. But, give us a chance to explain what this really means for both you and Seven Clean Seas.?

We really don’t want this post to seem like some kind of an advertisement or some kind of a cliche LinkedIn post to guilt-trip you into using bamboo toothbrushes. We promise there’s more to this than a humble brag, and we promise you’ll learn something of value from this.?

(And, there may or may not be a FREE reward at the end of this article…)

What is this all about?

The world’s waste management sector desperately relies on one key resource - people.?

15-20 million informal waste workers form the backbone of all waste operations across the world. Sadly, the backbone of this industry is broken.??

Working without contracts, fair wages, healthcare, or safety gear, these individuals earn less than $2 a day, handling hazardous materials like asbestos that endanger their health and lives. Despite bearing the brunt of the global waste crisis, they are stigmatized, excluded from basic protections, and left without opportunities for a more secure future.

Over 90% of these workers operate without safety equipment, exposing them to respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and injuries. Worse, over 80% lack formal employment, depriving them of job security, healthcare, or insurance. The waste management industry, critical to global sustainability, has long ignored these glaring inequities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization.??

To address these systemic challenges, Zero Plastic Oceans developed the Social+ Ocean Bound Plastic certification. This innovative program introduces a framework that prioritizes both environmental impact and social responsibility, setting new standards for inclusivity and equity in the circular economy.?

For Seven Clean Seas, achieving Social+ OBP certification for our Bintan project site is a testament to our commitment to balancing ocean conservation with the overall social development of and for the people that make it all happen!

What does this REALLY mean??

We believe that how we clean oceans matters as much as the cleanup itself. The Social+ Ocean Bound Plastic certification at our Bintan project site is a landmark achievement, recognizing our dedication to creating ethical, inclusive practices that prioritize people alongside the planet.??

The Social+ OBP certification emphasizes practical, transformative measures to uplift informal workers and integrate human dignity into the waste management process. Through this framework, we’ve implemented significant developments over the years at Bintan to improve safety, livelihoods, and long-term opportunities for all involved.

1. Formalising Informal Work:? At Bintan, informal waste workers have been transitioned into formal systems, ensuring fair wages, employment contracts, and job security. This reduces exploitation, stabilizes incomes, and provides workers with access to financial independence.

2. Improving Health and Safety: We’ve introduced comprehensive health and safety measures, including the provision of personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks, and boots. Workers also receive training on safe waste handling practices, reducing the risk of injury and exposure to harmful materials.??

3. Providing Healthcare and Insurance: Workers at our Bintan project now have access to healthcare services and insurance, ensuring that workplace injuries or illnesses no longer push them into financial distress. These measures prioritize both immediate safety and long-term well-being.??

4. Protecting Children’s Rights: Seven Clean Seas enforces strict policies against child labor, ensuring that children in waste-picking communities are protected and encouraged to pursue education. The Social+ framework supports this by promoting access to schooling and breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty.??

5. Uplifting Women and Marginalised Communities: The certification emphasizes inclusivity, and we’ve worked to create equitable opportunities for women and marginalized groups at Bintan. By fostering a supportive and respectful environment, we ensure that all workers are treated fairly and have access to growth opportunities.

The People-Plastic Balance??

The Social+ Ocean Bound Plastic certification reflects a bold truth: environmental sustainability cannot exist or operate in a silo without social justice. At Seven Clean Seas, we’ve always understood that addressing the plastic crisis requires more than cleanups. It demands uplifting the people most impacted by plastic waste. ‘The 2P Balance’, if you will.??

Our efforts at Bintan embody this principle. Every kilogram of plastic waste recovered not only protects marine ecosystems but also creates safer, more stable livelihoods for waste workers. This dual impact demonstrates how environmental and social progress can, and must, go hand in hand.??

Beyond waste recovery, our work at Bintan extends into education and awareness. We actively collaborate with local schools and communities to raise awareness about plastic pollution and provide tools to reduce waste generation. These efforts are a critical part of our mission to address the root causes of the plastic crisis while empowering communities with knowledge and resources.

This is a win not just for us, but for the communities we serve, whose lives and livelihoods have been improved. And, it is of course a win for the seven seas we strive to protect.

But, we’re just scratching the surface with this. This is only the beginning. We also aim to inspire our partners, our stakeholders, and even organizations like Seven Clean Seas working towards similar goals. We are proud to lead by example. With Social+ OBP as our guide, we remain committed to building a future where sustainability is grounded in equity, justice, and shared progress.

If you’ve made it all the way to the end, congratulations! You can book a? FREE demo with us to learn more about our impact transparency platform, ‘Periscope’!?

1. Book a call with us from this webpage.
2. Write ‘Social+’ in the message.
3. We’ll get back to you ASAP!

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