Plastic recycling presents a number of benefits including a cleaner, less polluted and thus
healthier environment. In addition, recycling creates jobs, which gives people a reason to
remain where they are.The IOM project in partnership with the Haitian government and
recycling organizations, is looking to multiply the benefits of recycling. It will do this by
developing an innovative and sustainable construction material from the plastic waste which
could be used to build houses which are more resistant to extreme weather like hurricanes
and floods as well as catastrophic natural disasters such as earthquakes.Reducing the risk of
disasters will mean that fewer people are affected in a time of crisis, so they are less likely to
be displaced from their homes and may not consider migrating. Recycling is one small part of
a range of interventions which can halt environmental degradation and contribute to the
slowing down of irregular and unsafe migration. The project could be very useful in
conjunction with other aspects of an environmental and climate action agenda, including
reforestation, sustainable energy production and a circular economy.
