TONTOTON: A Beacon of Hope for Environmentally Conscious Expats, Locals, and Tourists in Cambodia
Meet Barak Ekshtein, the visionary founder and CEO of TONTOTON, a social and environmental initiative dedicated to tackling the issue of mismanaged non-recyclable plastic pollution in Cambodia’s coastal villages. Barak, driven by a passion for environmental justice and sustainable solutions, established TONTOTON to create meaningful change.
The Mission of TONTOTON
TONTOTON is dedicated to solving the problem of non-recyclable plastic pollution through a network of community waste pickers.
“At its Material Recovery Facility in Sihanoukville, TONTOTON upcycles low-value plastics into furniture and impact products, which in turn support further plastic collection.”
Barak started this initiative four years ago in Vietnam and expanded to Cambodia in 2021 after witnessing the vast amounts of plastic pollution with no existing solutions.
“One of TONTOTON’s groundbreaking innovations is the plastic credit system. Through a third-party certified protocol, the Ocean-Bound Plastic (OBP) initiative registers collected non-recyclable plastic as credits. Local and international companies, as well as individuals, can purchase these plastic credits, contributing to a cleaner environment and reducing plastic pollution,” he said.
“This funding mechanism, pioneered by TONTOTON, offers a sustainable solution to an otherwise neglected problem.”
Achievements and Future Aspirations
Since beginning plastic collection in Vietnam in 2019 and expanding to Cambodia in 2021, TONTOTON has aimed to create an inclusive solution for managing post-consumer, low-value plastic, or “orphan plastic.” Barak’s dream is to make everyone part of the solution, making their initiatives accessible through various channels and products.
Highlights of TONTOTON’s journey include developing an upcycling production line that transforms hard-to-recycle plastic into strong plastic boards. These boards have been used to build classrooms in childcare NGO daycares (M’lop Tapang and Allkids) and to supply furniture to these facilities. “It’s an amazing milestone as it connects community collection and empowerment with global markets, innovative upcycling, and novel funding mechanisms,” says Barak.
In 2023, TONTOTON plans to elevate its Plastic Free Coastlines program with multiple partners to fund plastic collection in Koh Rong and other coastal areas, enhancing their environmental impact.
The Unique Value of TONTOTON’s Work
TONTOTON’s commitment to environmental and social impact sets it apart. “We work with people for the environment, able to change the reality of polluted life as a norm,” Barak explains. The initiative has collected over 3,000,000 kg of low-value plastic from the environment and provided additional income to hundreds of families in the villages they serve.
By developing products such as 100% recycled plastic furniture, keychains, photo frames, coasters, and reusable bottles, TONTOTON funds more plastic collection efforts. These products come with certificates indicating the contribution to plastic collection, making it easy for companies and individuals to support a cleaner environment.
Tourists visiting Cambodia can also contribute. Each tourist generates about 3 kg of plastic waste during a typical 6-7 day trip. Through TONTOTON’s Plastic Free Coastlines impact product, tourists can offset their plastic footprint, supporting collection efforts in areas lacking waste management infrastructure.
Find out more Thing’s To Do in Cambodia here
Community Benefits and Market Diversification
Operating as an “Impact as a Service” company, TONTOTON prioritizes impact over profit. The initiative stops plastic from reaching the ocean and supports local communities by creating jobs and fostering environmental stewardship. Barak believes in doing business for a purpose, aiming to close the gap in waste management in coastal areas and providing tangible benefits to the community.
A Love for Cambodia
Barak is deeply connected to Cambodia, a country he describes as beautiful with amazing, welcoming people. From government support to the business community and villagers, Cambodia’s spirit of collaboration is evident. “As a relatively small country compared to its neighbors, in the environmental space, I see how Cambodia gets less attention from foundations and international organizations. It’s starting to change, and we hope that our work will support more funds and opportunities for the Cambodian people,” Barak reflects.
For environmentally-conscious expats, locals, and tourists, TONTOTON offers a unique opportunity to engage with and support impactful environmental initiatives in Cambodia. By visiting TONTOTON’s facilities, purchasing their upcycled products, or participating in their programs, you can contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for Cambodia.
How to find Tontoton in Cambodia?
 | Cambodia |
 | https://www.cambodialifestyle.com |
 | +855 9 678 01791 |
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Author: Tom Starkey
Tom Starkey is an International Development graduate from Sussex University with 12-years of experience across 4 continents, Tom's goal is that he wants to showcase his love for Cambodia, where he lives, works and now happily calls home.
