Social Clean-ups in Africa und Asia
We help people in Africa and Asia who live in poverty. The aid money is not given as a gift, but is paid as an expense allowance for picking up debris from water bodies. We combine combating poverty and protecting the environment with the project.
The urgency of plastic pollution
The pervasive problem of plastic pollution is threatening our seas and ecosystems, with over 150 million tonnes of plastic floating in the oceans. Studies show that more than two thirds of fish species ingest plastic, and the average person consumes around 5 g of plastic with their food every week. This pollution not only harms marine life, but also poses a health risk to people around the world. Improper waste management also leads to the release of greenhouse gases and exacerbates the global climate crisis.
Eradicating poverty as a cause
We believe that poverty can be a major cause of environmental degradation. That is why we act in the knowledge that in countries with a low standard of living, reducing poverty is a crucial step towards sustainable development. Many people in impoverished communities lack alternatives for waste disposal, which leads to rivers being used as natural conveyor belts for household waste.
The priority pyramid and its meaning
Elisabeth Huber’s priority pyramid from 2020 provides valuable insights into how people living in poverty prioritise their household spending. At the base of the pyramid are basic needs such as food and shelter, which are prioritised due to their immediate impact on survival. As income increases, other essential needs such as education, healthcare, mobility, electricity and clean water are prioritised. Only when all these needs have been met do considerations of status symbols, telecommunications and, at the final stage, waste disposal become feasible. The Social Cleanup Programme of Sana Mare e.V. directly supports the people on the lower levels of the pyramid and gives them the opportunity to climb higher levels of the pyramid, right up to the top level, where environmental protection is also integrated into everyday life.
The effectiveness of social cleanups
In response to the interlinked challenges of poverty and environmental pollution, Sana Mare has developed the Social Cleanup Programme as a holistic solution. The project empowers people living in poverty by giving them the opportunity to earn a monthly income by collecting rubbish. In many developing countries, the top rung of the priority pyramid can be reached with an income equivalent to less than €150. With this monthly household budget, a family of four can live in a stone house with running water and electricity. The money is also enough for a balanced diet and school fees for a state secondary school. A life outside extreme poverty and with opportunities for economic and social advancement is thus secured and environmentally friendly behaviour becomes possible.
Sana Mare social cleanups take place in Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka and the Philippines (as of January 2024). While Tanzania, Sri Lanka and the Philippines each organise around 20 campaigns per year, 8 people are employed full-time in Kenya (20 days per month). A total of over 230,000 kg of waste has already been collected (as of January 2024). The collected recyclable materials are sold to recycling companies or recycled into new products as part of the project. This also generates local income. However, the sale of recyclables and upcycled products only covers a small part of the project costs. Over 90% of the costs have to be covered by donations.
We need your support
By supporting the Social Cleanup Programme, you become a vital part of sustainable change. Your donation will directly contribute to reducing plastic pollution and breaking the cycle of poverty for those in need. Together, we can have a lasting positive impact on both the environment and the lives of people working for a better future. Help us! Donate now and make a real difference in the fight against plastic pollution and poverty.