First Mile improves THE lives and livelihoods of informal workers in raw material supply chains by transforming systems to be inclusive of all workers.
SUPPORT OUR COLLECTORS
Your investment will support direct programs and services for our collectors network to improve working conditions and increase income.
First Mile Program for collectors
Globally, an estimated 30 million informal workers collect recyclables every day to make ends meet. Oftentimes, they do this work in extreme conditions - in open landfills and unwelcomed spaces, and are stigmatized for working with waste material. Most collectors are unable to make an income that can address essential needs.
Our First Mile program improves working conditions and livelihoods for these collectors and instills dignity in collection and recycling work. We begin by mapping and assessing supply chains using our Responsible Sourcing Framework; identifying challenges faced; and co-designing and implementing programs and services to address them.
We implement programs in Haiti, Taiwan, and Ghana. We collaborate with aggregators, recyclers, and brands across the value chain to address human rights challenges and improve responsible sourcing practices for thousands of collectors. Since the inception of our program, our collectors and partners have diverted over 250 million plastic bottles from the environment and transformed them into hundreds of new products.
We’re proud to join forces with partners who value traceability and transparency in their supply chains and care equally about environmental and social justice.
First MILE PARTNERS WITH US BANK ON ECO-FRIENDLY DEBIT CARD
Our partnership with US Bank began a few years ago when they launched their eco-friendly debit card with a mutual partner, CPI Card Group. Together, we have prevented hundreds of thousands of bottles from reaching the ocean while ensuring collectors can support their families through collection and recycling. US Bank also supports programming for collectors that address health and safety needs, education for children of collectors, investments for workers to improve income. Check out our story below.
ADVISORY PRACTICE
In 2019, we started our Advisory Practice to support aggregators, recyclers, brands, and investors to address responsible sourcing practices in their value chains. To date, we have helped our clients:
develop Responsible Sourcing Frameworks and launch programming to support informal collectors
create tools to improve traceability and transparency and assess human rights and sourcing challenges
build new collection strategies
develop, train, and launch Supplier Engagement Programs
improve trust and relationships between workers and businesses across the value chain to increase yield and lift quality standards, and more
As a mission-driven organization, we aim to support as many groups as possible to improve supply chain systems globally for the 30 million-plus informal workers whose work helps to protect our environment. Our work has impacted collectors in over a dozen countries, from Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, to Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, Alaska, USA, and more.
Below are examples of our work.
The Fair Circularity Initiative (FCI) developed a set of principles for corporate engagement with the informal waste sector that aligns with the United Nations Guiding Principles. To support corporate members in meeting these principles, First Mile was asked to develop the Human Rights Due Diligence Toolkit.
The Circulate Initiative (TCI) developed and launched the first-ever Harmonized Responsible Sourcing Framework (RSF) that draws from existing Frameworks, including those First Mile has developed for its clients and partners.
First Mile supported the draft process for the RSF and currently serves as TCI’s Implementation Partner to execute the RSF in full and to develop a comprehensive suite of instructions and tools for the industry.
Above are some of the brands and organizations we have supported and collaborated with to bring a worker-centered approach to collection, recycling, and transforming systems to address climate change.
Our work together has resulted in the improvement of lives and livelihoods for over 100,000 workers globally. This is just the start. Join us in transforming systems for workers and the environment.
