Plépah

The use of plastic food packaging is rapidly increasing in Indonesia. During the pandemic, home deliveries have gone up and so has the amount of plastic packages that end up as non-recyclable waste in the environment. Plépah tackles this problem while at the same time supporting farmers and local communities. Through the production of packaging from agricultural materials, Plépah creates additional income opportunities for local communities.

 

Inspired by a passion for design, Plépah creates packaging from agricultural by-products sourced from local communities in Indonesia. Giving agricultural by-products such as areca palm leaf sheaths a second life, the social enterprise works with local producers to design packaging for food and cosmetic products.

 

The Plépah founders put emphasis on design, innovation and community empowerment because they believe these values are the key in creating sustainable, democratic and circular solutions.  

 

Women are empowered by providing a workplace with flexible working hours. Youth from local areas who are interested in innovative design are offered learning and job opportunities. To date, Plepah has succeeded in giving around 1,000 smallholder farmer families and unskilled worker households a new source of income as material collectors and packaging producers. 

 

This way, the social enterprise reduces excessive post-consumer waste while bringing much-needed economic stability to local communities. At the same time, it develops the villagers’ business management skills and increases their awareness about protecting the environment.