WHAT WE DO
We work at the intersection of plastic responsibility, community livelihoods, and practical action.
Hara Makers manages existing plastic waste not because upcycling solves the plastic crisis, but because unmanaged waste already exists, and communities should not bear the cost of systemic failure alone.
1. Corporate Buy-Back Programme
We partner with companies to take responsibility for their plastic waste through a traceable buy-back model.
Corporates pass post-consumer or post-industrial plastic waste to Hara Makers. We work with trained lower-income women to transform this waste into functional products, which are then bought back by the companies for internal use, gifting, or events.
Benefits for partners:
~ Responsible and traceable waste management
~ Measurable social impact through income generation
~ Practical ESG and EPR-aligned outcomes
~ Transparency in how plastic waste is handled after collection
This programme is about responsibly managing plastic that already exists, not creating a solution for new production.
2. Corporate Eco Events & Recycling Campaigns
Hara Makers supports corporates in planning and running eco-focused events, including:
~ Recycling or recyclables collection drives
~ Sustainability workshops and hands-on activities
~ Employee engagement initiatives around responsible waste
Benefits for corporate partners:
~ Achieve measurable ESG and community impact
~ Extend Buy-Back accountability into active engagement
~ Foster employee and stakeholder awareness around sustainable practices
3. Community-Based Livelihood & Skills Training
We provide women from lower-income communities with hands-on training in:
~ Plastic sorting and preparation
~ Upcycling and production techniques
~ Small-scale manufacturing workflows
Participants gain:
~ Income through production work
~ Transferable skills supporting long-term livelihood stability
~ Confidence, dignity, and experience in responsible manufacturing
Our focus is on fair compensation, realistic production capacity, and dignity at work, rather than scale at all costs.
4. River Clean-Up
Our weekly river clean-ups help remove debris and pollution before it harms waterways and the environment. These programmes also:
~ Generate real-world data on the types and volumes of waste collected
~ Serve as educational and engagement opportunities for the public, schools, and corporate volunteers
~ Reinforce that environmental responsibility is a shared effort, not just a downstream problem
These clean-ups remind us, and our partners, that waste management is a shared responsibility, not a downstream problem.
5. Community Engagement & Awareness
Beyond production, we work with:
~ Schools and universities
~ Corporate volunteers
~ Local communities
Through talks, workshops, and hands-on sessions, we:
~ Encourage conversations about plastic use and responsibility
~ Share the uncomfortable truth that upcycling alone cannot solve the plastic crisis
~ Inspire actionable steps for individuals and organisations
How It All Connects
Our work is not made up of separate projects. It is one connected system:
~ Corporate partners take responsibility for plastic waste and run eco events
~ Communities gain skills, income and confidence
~ Waste is managed transparently and responsibly
~ Awareness grows through action and participation
This is how we move forward, carefully, honestly, and together.