WASHINGTON, USA — The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, has awarded US$1 million to the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) to support the Caribbean Plastics Recycling Project, a regional initiative that aims to expand plastic waste collection and strengthen recycling systems across the Caribbean.
This investment comes at a critical moment, as Caribbean nations face mounting waste management costs, increasing plastic pollution, and growing demand for sustainable economic opportunities.
“By supporting this regional initiative, we are helping strengthen local recycling systems, empowering waste collectors, and supporting innovative solutions that aim to protect both Caribbean communities and the region’s natural resources. We look forward to seeing the long-term economic and environmental impact this work will create,” said Carlos Pagoaga, pesident of The Coca-Cola Foundation.
According to the World Bank Group, more than 320,000 tons of plastic waste go uncollected each year in the Caribbean, degrading fragile marine ecosystems and threatening the tourism, fisheries, and shipping industries that sustain local economies.
The region’s dispersed island geography, limited waste management infrastructure, and small markets make recycling especially challenging. Limited access to financing, low public awareness, and cross-border transport regulations further constrain the development of a robust recycling infrastructure.
The one-year, multi-country program will operate in Grenada, Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, and Guyana.
Together, these countries represent critical opportunities to strengthen waste management systems, support local livelihoods, and protect marine environments. Through regional collaboration, local partnerships, and innovative recycling models, the project aims to increase plastic recovery, reduce landfill pressure, and expand economic opportunities for women, youth, and underserved communities.
“Through our years of partnership and collaboration with The Coca-Cola Foundation, PADF is expanding economic opportunities for local collectors, strengthening recycling systems, and building resilient communities and ecosystems. Their support and collaboration make it possible to empower people and create lasting impact across the Caribbean,” said Katie Taylor, executive director of PADF.
The Caribbean Plastics Recycling Project is funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation and implemented by PADF in partnership with CircularPak, a circular economy consultancy company. The project focuses on three core strategies that aim to strengthen waste management systems and improve collection across the region:
- Strengthen local “recycling champions” to implement innovative recycling programs and improve collection and processing efficiency.
- Expand and support networks of waste collectors, creating income-generating opportunities and increasing the volume and quality of plastics collected, processed, and recycled.
- Foster regional linkages that enable cross-border collaboration, reduce freight, and processing costs, and increase the viability of in-country and regional recycling systems.
A continuation of a strong partnership
This initiative builds on the ongoing collaboration between PADF and The Coca-Cola Foundation to expand recycling efforts and transform plastic waste into economic opportunity. Since 2022, the partnership has provided training, equipment, and support to hundreds of waste collectors and enabled the collection of more than 2,300 tons of plastic.
These efforts have empowered local communities, including women and youth, while helping strengthen local recycling systems and fostering more resilient communities across the Caribbean.
