TONTOTON is a community and environment-focused program addressing plastic pollution by collecting and treating non-recyclable plastic from coastal areas. We create both environmental and social impact through certified operations while empowering local communities.
For us, TONTOTON means “balance”, inspired by the concept of “Back-to-Back.” It reflects our guiding principle of “leaving nothing and no one behind”, addressing both recyclable and non-recyclable plastics while protecting and empowering communities most impacted by pollution.
TONTOTON operates in Cambodia, focusing on coastal areas with high plastic leakage. Our community-led programs engage households and waste pickers in addressing plastic pollution.
Orphan plastic refers to non-recyclable plastic with no market value, often left uncollected and polluting the environment. It is called “orphan” because no one takes responsibility for these materials once they are mismanaged.
TONTOTON developed a 50/50 collection system:
This system empowers communities while preventing pollution.
Plastic Credits are a contribution tool that funds the removal and prevention of plastic waste. Each credit supports the collection of 1 ton of mismanaged plastic, ensuring tangible environmental and social benefits.
The Social+ OBP standard, developed by Zero Plastic Oceans (NGO), ensures transparent and verified collection of plastic from ocean-bound areas. TONTOTON’s activities are audited by Control Union, an independent verification body.
TONTOTON operates under the Social+ OBP certification, ensuring ethical social contributions to waste pickers and their families. As a certified collection and processing organization, we meet the highest standards for impact and transparency.
All our activities are recorded, audited, and verified under the Social+ OBP protocol. We also provide impact reports to clients, detailing the specific contributions their support has made to plastic collection and environmental efforts.
TONTOTON tackles the plastic pollution crisis by focusing on non-recyclable plastics that traditional systems ignore. Our work prevents plastic leakage, protects marine ecosystems, and empowers vulnerable coastal communities through income opportunities and education.
TONTOTON brings critical additional benefits, including financial support to coastal communities, preventing plastic leakage, increasing recycling rates, and, most importantly, collecting non-recyclable plastic that would otherwise never be removed due to its low or no value. This financial support empowers communities to participate in waste collection, ensuring stronger, cleaner environments and addressing a critical gap in waste management.
By partnering with TONTOTON, businesses contribute to the global fight against plastic pollution and social empowerment. Through awareness programs like the Plastic Diet and Plastic Free Coastlines, companies help fund impactful initiatives and inspire change.
TONTOTON provides financial support to waste pickers and households, enabling them to collect non-recyclable plastic while improving their livelihoods. Through our Social+ OBP certification, we ensure ethical working conditions, family support programs, and initiatives like house renovations for waste pickers.
We’ve collected over 3,000 tons of mismanaged plastic, preventing it from polluting oceans and ecosystems. Our circular approach processes non-recyclable plastics into useful products like furniture and school materials, raising awareness about reducing plastic pollution.
At our Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, we process hard-to-recycle plastic into durable plastic boards used for:
This ensures non-recyclable plastics are transformed into impactful, valuable products.
We handle all types of plastic:
If you’re part of the plastic industry, you share responsibility for the end-of-life of mismanaged plastic products. The global south, including Cambodia, faces growing plastic pollution due to inadequate waste management systems. Your support helps prevent plastic leakage and remove legacy plastic, protecting communities, nature, and oceans.
The One+One program ensures non-recyclable plastic is collected alongside recyclable plastic, addressing both types of waste. It allows you to support a leave nothing and no one behind approach, filling a critical gap in waste management.
Supporting TONTOTON through Plastic Credits or other mechanisms allows you to contribute to reducing plastic pollution in highly polluted areas. This includes taking responsibility for the collection of non-recyclable plastic alongside recyclable materials through our One+One Responsibility Program.
While partnering with TONTOTON is a vital step toward a cleaner environment, it is not a silver bullet solution. We strongly encourage companies to explore all possible ways to reduce their plastic footprint and avoid using claims like “neutrality” or “offsetting.” Instead, the focus should be on responsibility and contribution to the global fight against plastic pollution.