31/08/2025
Why was the Kurdish flag flying at the Save Plastics office for an entire week?
The next step in realizing a Green Plastic Factory in Iraq Kurdistan is training in Arnhem with the same machines they will soon receive at the Duhok site. Dilzar, Hamza, Dahir and Mukhlis received in the last week of August the well-deserved certificate: 'how to become a plastic operator'
On behalf of VNG International led by Yvonne Kraak and Rawshan Atrooshi, save plastics led by Marlous de bordes has commissioned to build a Green Plastic Factory and supervise it for the coming years. The Green Plastic Factory is an initiative of Save Plastics that was developed in the Municipality of Almere during the Transform_CE project. The concept provides; a healthy business case, job creation, useful products from recycled household plastic, education at elementary school, train the trainer for future operators and awareness training for the region. The social component will not be missing either and will find its way into the ‘become a hero’ program.
Marlous: "The training in Arnhem is based on ‘learning by doing’. Practical, concrete and hands-on, just like our motto ‘Just do it’. From Monday to Friday working with machines, types of plastics, troubleshooting and creating beautiful products. And if they have received the certificate, they may soon train more operators in the Iraqi factory, like refugees from the camps in Duhok. Because the social aspect is just as important as the technical aspects, says Marlous, as has been proven in India, where we also have a Green Plastic Factory running, with the theme: 'become happier and healthier.
After an intensive week, the Save Plastics team received fantastic feedback from Hamza and that's what we do it for, he said:
"I want to sincerely thank you for all your amazing work, effort, and time that you put into making this week so special 🙏💛 From the detailed training sessions and thorough preparations to the warm hospitality and care, every little detail made a huge difference.
Because of your dedication and support, I and the whole team were able to be here in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 and have such a successful and inspiring training course on the green plastic factory 🌱♻.
It has truly been an unforgettable experience, and we are so grateful to you both for making it possible 💐💚