Trash4Tokens is the North and South America version of the South African Litter4Tokens.
We are dedicated to creating communities that are passionate about keeping our oceans clean through programs that foster a circular economy and collaborating with other non-profits with the same mission to protect our marine ecosystems.
Where we came from:
On November 2015, Clare Swithenbank-Bowman launched the Litter4tokens at the Ithemba Labasha Community Centre, Shakashead. This campaign came to life with the idea to employ and empower the South African nation while simultaneously cleaning the community’s environment. Litter4Tokens provided a circular economy for retailers and raised awareness of microplastics in our environment.
The Litter4Tokens campaign built pride and respect through recycling in several communities in South Africa: KwaDukuza, Etekweni, Hillcrest, Port Elizabeth, East London, Richards Bay Mpumalanga, and Estcourt. The concept is quite simple; people collected as many bags of litter (trash) as possible to get tokens to redeem at the token shops to feed their families. One bag is worth one token, and no money is exchanged through this process.
This helps feed the communities and prevent the litter (trash) from being dumped into our rivers and oceans. PETCO, a South African recycling company, supplies bags and equipment to help L4T accomplish this mission. Creating jobs that infuse pride for the environment and the cleanliness of our communities while at the same time uplifting people through education about recycling. Consequently, less litter is dumped in the rivers and ultimately reaches the ocean.
And now we’re here!
In 2021, Clare launched Trash4Tokens as a Nonprofit 501(3)c organization in the United States of America to bring the campaign’s mission here. We are a growing global community that works directly with beautiful people who have a vision for a cleaner world. Join us because we could really use your help to create a better future.