Tidey Ocean Collectors

Tidey Ocean collectors are everyday individuals performing extraordinary work in plastic cleanup efforts. The organization employs a gig-economy approach to collection, allowing anyone in coastal communities to participate, whether full-time or part-time on weekends and evenings.

Marivel lives near a mangrove that has become a plastic dumping ground. Through dedicated effort, she has significantly improved both the area and her own livelihood. When not collecting plastic, she cares for her pigs and chickens.

Edith resides adjacent to a landfill that drains into a river. Tragically, her husband died falling into this landfill years ago. As one of the program's earliest participants, Edith extracts plastic from waste loads at the landfill site. This work has enabled her financial independence rather than relying on neighbors' help. She also cares for local cats and dogs in her spare time.

Silverio, 86 years old and one of the original collectors, walks through town gathering trash. His collection efforts provide supplemental income for his household, which includes his children and grandchildren.

The program also features collectors named Martha, Irma, Blanca, and Isabel, each contributing to ocean-bound plastic removal in their communities.