At Be Humanitarian, sustainability has been a part of our work for years. Our mission is to support families in Guatemala through education, nutrition, and economic opportunities, while ensuring our efforts align with caring for the planet. One of the biggest challenges we face is plastic waste, and we are committed to making a difference.
Why Reducing Plastic Waste Matters
Years ago, we toured the dump in Guatemala City and saw people digging through garbage for recyclable materials. That experience fueled our interest in reducing plastic. We believe plastic bags are a wasteful item that should be removed from our lives.
Reducing plastic bag waste isn’t always easy though. In many cases, plastic is the most affordable and convenient option, especially where alternatives are hard to find. Changing habits takes time. In both Guatemala and the U.S., plastic bags are still readily available, making it difficult to transition to sustainable alternatives. However, we remain committed to leading by example and showing that sustainability is possible, even in small ways.
With that, Be Humanitarian has made strides over the years to reduce the use of plastic. Several years ago, we employed our moms to make reusable shopping bags from hard plastic strips, selling thousands nationwide to reduce plastic waste in the United States. Each reusable bag can replace over 700 plastic bags annually– which means one reusable bag can potentially eliminate approximately 700,000 single-use plastic bags each year.
However, we have only scratched the surface. Plastic waste in Guatemala is still a significant issue. Limited recycling programs mean much of the plastic used ends up in landfills or scattered throughout communities. Purchasing groceries for 35 families several times a month added countless plastic bags into the community. Staples like potatoes, rolls, tomatoes, onions, rice, and flour are often placed into small plastic bags. Last year, we introduced hundreds of mesh, reusable produce bags for our community to use, reducing the addition of plastic to Guatemalan landfills.
Learning from San Pedro La Laguna
Our long-term goal is to emulate the success of San Pedro La Laguna in reducing plastic use in San Andrés. In 2016, San Pedro La Laguna, a small Mayan town in southwestern Guatemala, implemented a ban on the sale and distribution of single-use plastics. This initiative led to a significant decrease in plastic waste, with 80% of the town’s inhabitants ceasing the use of plastics.
Traditional alternatives, such as baskets made of palm leaves and food wrapped in banana leaves, became commonplace as residents embraced the idea of tackling plastic pollution and protecting the local environment. The town’s efforts demonstrate that community-wide change is possible when local governments and citizens work together.
We’re incredibly grateful to know leaders like Jeremy Porter, CEO of Tidey, who is driving real change in Guatemala by tackling plastic waste. Through innovative recycling initiatives and community-driven efforts, Tidey is not only reducing waste but also paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Check out their amazing work here.
Looking to the Future
We aim to continue removing single-use plastic bags from our lives and ensuring that the plastic items we use can be reused for years. Our founder, Tobie Spears bought her first handmade reusable plastic bag in Guatemala in 2019 and she is still using that same bag on all her supermarket trips. This one bag alone has reduced her family’s plastic bag waste several hundred times and counting.
At Be Humanitarian, we actively eliminate single-use plastics whenever possible. Through reusable shopping bags, mesh produce bags, and other sustainable choices, we are dedicated to reducing waste and protecting our environment. Reducing plastic waste isn’t just a choice; it’s a responsibility and together, we can make a lasting impact.
