Paknam Island – or Koh Khon Tee – is located less than 5 minutes by boat from Ranong. Due to its location in front of Ranong harbor, a lot of waste is washed directly onto the island’s beaches by the tide. Unfortunately, there is no efficient waste management system here.
The waste is piled up in an open-air landfill, before being burned. The monkeys living in the mangrove and the dogs of the island feed on what remains which cause many health and safety issues for the community.
By obtaining a Global Giving grant from the 3M Foundation in 2022, we were able to build a project in partnership with the local authorities and the island’s temple. The establishment of a waste management facility on the island allows its inhabitants to be trained in waste disposal and sell the plastic they collect. We are purchasing the plastic at a fair price, covering the transport costs to our main center.
