Road Scholar & ClimeCo Celebrate Plastic Free July
Why this matters
Every year, over 20 million tonnes of plastic, equivalent to 2,000 garbage trucks every single day, are dumped into our rivers, lakes, and oceans each year. This massive influx of plastic pollutes aquatic ecosystems, threatens wildlife, and endangers the health of our communities. Every 10 kilograms of ocean-bound waste recovered keeps the plastic equivalent of more than 650 standard water bottles out of our waterways, making a real and measurable difference in protecting our planet and preserving clean, healthy environments for future generations. And you can help be a part of the solution!
How you can help
This Plastic-Free July, Road Scholar and ClimeCo are inviting travelers around the world to join them is making a positive impact with helping to remove ocean bound plastic just as TONTOTON does, a project that Road Scholar has partnered with ClimeCo to support. Since 2022, Road Scholar has partnered with ClimeCo to support TONTOTON, funding the reclamation of 40 metric tons of plastic waste in Vietnam, equivalent to removing 2.6 million plastic water bottles. This plastic, which would otherwise pollute the ocean, is transformed into fuels and raw materials that replace coal at a local manufacturing facility, advancing both circular economy goals and climate resilience. You can help to remove ocean-bound plastic by clicking the button below or using the calculator near the bottom of the page.
How TONTOTON is Restoring Communities in Vietnam and Cambodia
Without this project, orphan plastic would continue to pollute rural coastal communities in Vietnam and Cambodia, negatively impacting quality of life, public health, and economic opportunities from tourism and fishing. Inadequate waste management options means that it is common for waste including plastics to be openly burned, degrading air quality. With your support, TONTOTON is able to create new employment opportunities and preserve traditional ones. Clean communities improve the quality of life for local residents and result in less open burning of trash.
Under this program, workers who are primarily female receive above-average pay, personal protective equipment, and primary health insurance for those individuals who need it. The project also advocates for the proper waste management infrastructure to be built and stop plastics from leaking into the natural environment in the first place. They provide education and guidance to local governments on building sustainable waste management infrastructure.
This TONTOTON project was the first in the world to be awarded the Ocean Bound Plastic Neutrality Certification, an independent standard of Zero Plastic Oceans, after a thorough third-party verification audit performed by leading global certification specialists, Control Union Certifications.
