Reuters reports that aBuddhist templein the south of Bangkok recycled thousands of plastic bottles and turned them into polyester fibers that are made into fabric for saffron monks' robes. The temple has been running the campaign seeking donations of plastic bottles since 2018.
Since the initiative began, the monks have recycled 40 tons of plastic. Your goal is toprevent plastic wasteenters the Chao Phraya River, which then flows south to the Gulf of Thailand in the western Pacific Ocean.
Thailand is the fifth largest supplier of plastic to the world's oceans, according to a report by the US group Ocean Conservancy. The list includes three other Southeast Asian countries and China, the biggest plastic polluter.
“I practice the teachings of Buddha, which are also in line with solving the global environmental crisis,” Phra Maha Pranom Dhammalangkaro, 54, abbot of the temple in Samut Prakan province, told Reuters.
Unlike most temples where people give alms such as food and clothing to the monks, devotees here ride bicycles to offer plastic bags and bottles in exchange for the Phra Maha Pranom's blessings.
While speaking to the international media outlet, the monk further said that one kilogram of donated plastic bottles can help produce a complete set of monk's robes, which has a high return value both in terms of money and merit.
The temple has made at least 800 sets of robes so far, with more in production. Each set costs between 2,000 and 5,000 baht (US$65.79 to US$164.47). Proceeds will be used to finance the project and pay waste separation volunteers, many of whom are housewives, pensioners and disabled people.
The monk also explained the process and said that it involves collecting the bottles and separating the caps and labels. He then added that they are washed and pressed into a block before being taken to another factory where they are cut into small grains and mixed with other ingredients before being stretched into threads. He further said that the thread is later dyed again in the temple where it is woven into cloth to make the orange robes.
“The monks not only make a tangible contribution to recycling, but also raise awareness in their communities,” said Chever Voltmer, director of plastics initiatives at Ocean Conservancy.
When Phra Maha Pranom ventures into the community, villagers, both young and old, come out to drop off their plastic bottles.
“If you don’t collect this plastic waste, where will it end up? In the stomachs of dugongs, dolphins, whales and many other marine animals. Then they die,” he tells them.
