For years, the people of Chang island have faced the problem of plastic pollution that washes up on its beautiful beaches during the rainy season. Despite their determination to solve this problem, the islanders needed financial and material support to find a solution.
Since August 2021, Ranong Recycle for Environment has been purchasing the recyclable plastic waste collected by the people of Chang island. In 2021, the community collected 13 tons of plastic in 5 months!
In light of their success, the Swiss start-up #Tide, and the watch brand Maurice Lacroix funded the construction of a warehouse and its office in 2022. The plastic is collected at the warehouse and transported to RRE by boat. This boat was purchased thanks to crowdfunding from the inhabitants and benefactors of Koh Chang. The costs related to the boat are assured by Tide Ocean Material.
The Swiss Embassy in Bangkok financed for 2 years the development of the activities of this collection and training place, and the creation of a short film on the island and its beautiful community project.
