MANILA—A group of recyclers in the Philippines is trying to ease the country’s worsening plastic waste crisis by turning bottles, single-use sachets, and snack food wrappers that clog rivers and spoil beaches into building materials. The Plastic Flamingo, or “The Plaf”, as they are commonly known, collect the waste, shred it, and then mould it into posts and planks called “eco-lumber” that can be used for fencing, decking or even to make disaster-relief shelters. “[It] is 100 percent upcycled material, 100 percent made from plastic waste materials, we also include some additives and colorants and it is rot-free, maintenance-free, and splinter-free,” said Erica Reyes, The Plaf’s chief operating officer. Having collected over 100 tons of plastic waste to date, the enterprise is doing its bit to address a local problem that has global ramifications. Approximately 80 percent of global ocean plastic comes from Asian rivers, and the Philippines alone contributes …
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