2. Overview
Team’s Name
Luniver’s Future
Purpose
To create a sustainable business by utilizing existing
unwanted plastic resources to benefit the environment and
the people of Belize
Primary Contact
Melissa McAleer
52 Barberie Avenue
Highlands, NJ 07732
m.nagiel@verizon.net
201-618-7376
3. The Issue
I discovered scuba diving a few years ago in Ambergris Caye, Belize. The small
island is full of local Caribbean charm, tropical fish adorn the coral reef like
jewels and the people are warm and proud of their history and their island. All
beaches along the perimeter of the island are public (even resort-front
property) and used as one of the main island roads by tourists and school
children alike.
The one problem that clouds the beauty of this small Caye is plastic. Coca-Cola
bottles, plastic dolls, plastic bags, mismatched flip flops – plastic of every
shape and size litters these beautiful beaches. Plastic dunes sometimes 10 feet
wide clash with the otherwise paradise –like landscape.
There is a sad twist to this often familiar picture. The plastic is not local. It is
carried by the currents from other places and deposited along the island’s
shoreline. Due to limited resources and funds which make transferring it to the
mainland cost prohibitive, most of it is cleaned up periodically by volunteer
groups and burned right on the island.
This issue is not exclusive to Belize but the country thrives thanks to tourism
and the people there understand and appreciates the value of its beaches and
coral reef. Thus, it is the perfect place to implement a sound, sustainable
mitigation plan.
4. The Solution
The solution is simple and based on the premise of recycling and reusing with
minimum impact on the environment.
What Ambergris Caye needs is a small company that manufactures building
materials (for example: decking composite). Because virtually everything has
to be shipped to the island, building a home can be expensive so local lumber is
often used.
Environmental Impact
Building materials would be made from recycled plastic found on the
island. It would eliminate the plastic dunes as well as the need to burn. It
would provide a local building resources thus lowering the cost of building
a home and preserving local resources.
The company could use solar power to minimize its footprint.
Financial Benefit
In addition to the environmental benefit, the company would become another
source of jobs.
Moreover, if the operation was to expand, plastic from mainland Belize could
be brought over in small increments, again, providing additional income to the
local community
Finally, the company would be co-owned by the local population of the island
5. Customer Base
The company would initially sell to the local population but as it
expanded, it would be able to export its products to the
mainland.
I think the cost would have to be competitive to make it worth
buying the product rather than buying lumber or shipping
building materials from the mainland.
Additionally, the company could negotiate a tax incentive or
discounts in return for the intake of plastic from the mainland.
The goal is not to create big business but to allow for the
company to sustain itself. The cost benefits of this business idea
are intended to be far beyond the bottom line.
Additionally, the vision is for a portion of the profits to go to the
local ownership population.
6. Technology
Technology is probably the least detailed part of this
business idea. I am not a scientist or a manufacturer so I
would look to partner with someone who has an
understanding of the mechanics.
As described before, the primary resource would be
recycled plastic. The goal of course would be to ensure the
absence of chemicals or anything else that would produce
additional pollution.
The product itself is most likely not new; it is the business
idea in the context of an island that has an abundance of
unwanted resource to create a self sustaining business
solution that benefits the environment and the people.
7. Marketing/Sales
Given the size of the island, the local community
would become aware of a new company very quickly.
Holding meetings with local leaders, providing an
article in the local paper, and providing demos of the
product would all be possible as part of the marketing
strategy.
For a broader reach, articles in various publications,
both contractor focused as well as scuba diving
enthusiasts could be placed. I anticipate costs for
advertising would be relatively low.
8. Competitors
From a strict product perspective, the competitors would
be building materials manufacturers on the mainland
and/or local lumber sellers. Whereas the imported
building materials may be equally good, I suspect they
would be more expensive. Additionally, creating a business
partnership with the local community, would provide an
incentive to purchase locally.
Lumber would undoubtedly be less expensive but would be
less durable due to humidity and insects.
Another category of competitors would be other businesses
entrepreneurs who could develop a similar idea. The local
government would not be a factor as it does not appear to
have the funds or resources to create a similar initiative.
9. Organizational Structure
Currently, the “team” comprises of me and my
husband, John, who shares my passion for preserving
the environment. I am a lawyer by profession and have
spent the last 10+ years working in compliance for
some of the largest financial industries. John is a
paramedic and has an amazing ability to get folks to
see things from different points of view.
Eventually, the owners would include local members
of the island community.
10. Financials
This is a bit difficult to determine particularly since the company would
function in a foreign country so applicable laws and regulations would
need to be met in order to commence operations.
The island isn’t that large so within a short amount of time, the
building materials would have to be exported. I do believe that if the
operation is successful in Belize, that this model could be expended to
other Caribbean islands with similar issues. This could provide a source
of traditional financial growth.
I think a initial investment of capital would enable the company to take
off within a number of years as long as the process was not impeded by
governmental delays. The local partnership model could provide the
additional benefit of additional funds or resources given their vested
interest in the company.
Further research would need to be done to create a detailed business
plan to attract additional investors
11. Sustainability
Many of the previous slides covered the issue of
sustainability. The entire business model is based on the
premise that it the building materials are created from
recycled plastic provides a viable solution to reusing
incoming plastic brought by the oceans’ currents exists.
Theoretically, if Ambergris Caye was able to eliminate every
last bottle that is lying on the beach, the fundamental
reason for the company would cease to exist.
Additionally, building materials are by design intended to
last, thus ensuring long-term use for the recycled material.
12. Next Steps
Thus far, this is all an idea that could be made possible with the
right funding. Discussions with the local Belizean government
would need to take place as well as defining the exact science and
mechanics behind this product. I would want to reach out to the
local business community to coordinate efforts.
Every so often, I read a blog about someone else observing the
same issue and hoping for a solution. I have the energy and the
passion. I would like to do this both for the beautiful coral reef
and for the people of Ambergris Caye. I want to be able to at least
slow down the pollution of our planet.
In the meantime, I recycle and compost, I walk and I clean up
our local beaches. I joined my town’s environmental committee
and I continue to scuba dive.
