VI Plastics is a social enterprise in the British Virgin Islands that processes plastics collected in the territory into beautiful outdoor products. We are proud to be a core partner in the country's growing recycling system.
The volume of plastics being collected is increasing rapidly now that recycling collection is more widely available (which is great!!) but we need to increase our processing capacity to keep up. We are raising funding to purchase additional equipment and improve our manufacturing system so we can process a larger volume of plastics.
VI Plastics was founded by Carrie Wright. (That's me!) I completed Masters and PhD degrees in Ontario, Canada and had a comfortable government job as a researcher and analyst - but I found myself wanting something... more. I transitioned from government research to working in social entrepreneurship and social innovation at my former university.
After visiting the BVI on a charter vacation in 2014, I began working on a plan for a social enterprise that could help address the issue of plastics in the ocean and in coastal communities. At the end of 2015, I moved with my husband to the BVI. We've been through a lot - including the devastating hurricanes in 2017 that ruined our first plastics recycling space - but I'm proud of what we've accomplished and inspired to keep growing the business.
We have great partners. We are very grateful for the leadership and support of the local non-profit group, Green VI, that is working with the local Deparment of Waste Management to grow the recycling system. VI Plastics is helping to support the recycling infrastructure by replacing the original pallet wood recycling bins with new, larger bins made from recycled plastics.
Young people in the BVI complete community service hours as part of their secondary education and we've been lucky to work with wonderful young people, in both paid employment and volunteer capacities. Engaging young people is a great way to build awareness in local neighbourhoods about the recycling initiative and we get to talk with them about social enterprise and being a force for good in their community.
I have a BIG goal of taking small scale plastics recycling to other Caribbean islands. And we've already started conversations with partners in Antigua and Barbuda!! Once VI Plastics is financially stable under a local management team, we will be able to start our work in the next country site.
Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram so we can update you about our progress. Cheers!
