Biodegradable plastic robes

Helping relieve suffering in the world is one of the main goals of Buddhist teachings, which guides the followers on their journey from birth to death. And for a Buddhist temple in Thailand, which is the focal point of our story, it’s not only food, money, and clothing that these pilgrims donate to the cause. They bring plastic waste.

Despite being a fraction of the size of China, India or the U.S., Thailand is, unfortunately, one of the five biggest contributors to plastic pollution on the Earth. Thailand is also predominantly Buddhist, and according to Phra Maha Pranom Dhammalangkaro, his temple is doing its part to combat the global environmental crisis, in accordance with the teachings of Buddha.

He has turned the Wat Chak Daeng temple in Samut Prakan Province, south of Bangkok, into a recycling mecca of sorts. A large recycling machine grinds donated plastic bags and bottles into large bales which the monks organize to be shipped off to various recycling plants.

Once broken down, the plastic is turned into polyester fibers which are then dye colored by the monks and turned into their iconic saffron orange robes.

Source: news4europe.eu

“Donating one kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of plastic bottles can help make a full set of monk robes, which has a high return value, both in terms of money and merits,”
Temple abbot, Maha Pranom, for Reuters

When the Abbot Pranom goes out into surrounding communities, citizens offer their plastic waste rather than offering food, to receive his blessings. In two years, the temple has produced more than 800 sets of the robes, which sell for between 2,000 baht ($65.79) and 5,000 baht ($164.47). The income keeps the recycling operation sustainable, along with a revolving staff of volunteers, mostly housewives, retirees, and disabled persons.

Source: news4europe.eu

“If you don’t collect these plastics, where do they end up? In the stomachs of dugongs, dolphins, whales, and many other sea animals,”
Temple abbot, Maha Pranom, for Reuters

According to the Ocean Conservancy, the 40 or so tons of plastic that the monks have recycled so far, is a fantastic first step in helping stem the tide of plastic pollution from Thailand. At the moment, the Southeast Asian country in 5th place for plastic polluting nations.

“Not only are the monks making a concrete contribution to recycling, but they are raising awareness in their communities,”
Chever Voltmer, Director for Plastics Initiatives at Ocean Conservancy, for Reuters