# 131 - Fair Trade Certified Recycled Plastics?!? Andrew Almack from Plastics for Change

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2022-05-05
- Length: 35m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-cfd

## Summary

Andrew Almack, founder of Plastics for Change, explains how his company created the world's first Fair Trade Certified recycled plastic supply chain in India. He details the transition from ocean cleanup to engaging the informal waste economy, using an app to ensure transparency and fair wages for waste collectors. Almack discusses how this model helps major brands meet sustainability goals by providing high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials like PET and HDPE. The conversation highlights the social impact of formalizing the informal sector, including providing identity cards, healthcare, and banking access to marginalized workers.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=6) Introduction: Andrew Almack and Plastics for Change
- [3:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=193) Almack's Background and the Genesis of Plastics for Change
- [5:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=358) From Ocean Cleanup to Informal Waste Economy in India
- [11:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=680) Defining Fair Trade Certified Recycled Plastic
- [14:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=846) The App, Transparency, and Incentivizing Waste Collectors
- [22:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=1352) Supply Chain Logistics and Brand Partnerships
- [26:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=1616) Quality Standards and High-Quality PCR Materials
- [29:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=1798) EPR Offsets and Building Shelters from Low-Value Plastics
- [32:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-05-05-131-fair-trade-certified-recycled-plastics-andrew-almack-from-plastics-for-chang#t=1939) How Individuals and Brands Can Get Involved

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Plastics for Change (company)
- The Body Shop (company)
- World Fair Trade Organization (other)
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation (other)
- Indiegogo (other)
- PET (material)
- HDPE (material)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Making garbage useful with Tom Szaky of TerraCycle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-17-making-garbage-useful-with-tom-szaky-of-terracycle) (How I Built This)
- [HIBT Lab! UNLESS Collective: Eric Liedtke](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-16-hibt-lab-unless-collective-eric-liedtke) (How I Built This)
- [Groundbreaking Solutions for Reducing Plastic Pollution and Improving Ocean Health with Doug Woodring, Founder and Managing Director of Ocean Recovery Alliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-04-14-groundbreaking-solutions-for-reducing-plastic-pollution-and-improving-ocean-heal) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [40. Why Plastic Eating Enzymes Will Save Our Oceans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [088: The Importance of Sustainable Product Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-08-11-088-the-importance-of-sustainable-product-manufacturing) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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