From Scrubs to Sustainability

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As I stood in the rubber processing factory of Halcyon Agri, the burnt smell of rubber and the deafening thumping of the machines assuaging my senses, I couldn’t help but reflect on the remarkable turn my life had taken in the past two years. 

 

In 2023, I traded my scrubs, the fast-paced emergency cases and the quintessential chaos of veterinary clinics to join the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) as a Communications and Membership Outreach Associate. As the smell, heat, and sheer scale of operations of Halcyon’s processing plant continued to burn an imprint on my mind, it made me realise the transition to GPSNR has been grounding me in a reality far removed from any veterinary clinic.

 

A worker performs quality control, carefully removing foreign pieces from compacted rubber before it gets packaged

In the veterinary field, where precision and care are everything, from diagnosing a complex case or suturing a wound, every action demands meticulousness. At the plant, while the scale and context were vastly different, the underlying principle remained unchanged. Every stage of rubber processing, from chopping the raw material into finer pieces to washing, drying, and packaging, played a critical role in meeting the exacting standards of tyre manufacturers. 

 

As I observed the Halcyon team navigating the plant with practised ease, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between my two worlds. Just as a misstep in surgery could mean life or death, inefficiencies in the supply chain could have far-reaching consequences for sustainability and livelihoods.

 

The factory floor reminded me that the path to sustainability is not linear. It’s a series of interconnected actions, each requiring deliberate effort and foresight. From supporting smallholder farmers to refining processing methods, every step in the rubber supply chain offers an opportunity to make an impact.

 

Water treatment facility located in Halcyon Agri

 

This interconnectedness is also reflected in how Halcyon manages its most essential resource: water. Any water used to wash the rubber is filtered, treated, and reused, creating a closed-loop system that minimises waste. This approach exemplifies the idea that sustainability is not about isolated actions but about fostering a system where resources flow and regenerate, much like nature itself. It’s a reminder that every step, no matter how small, contributes to a larger ecosystem of care and responsibility.

 

Chopped rubber before drying

This experience reinforced an essential truth for me: no matter the industry, meaningful change requires collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to learn. It also reminded me that stepping out of my comfort zone was not just a career move but a personal growth journey.

 

The journey from scrubs to sustainability has been anything but straightforward, yet it’s filled with lessons that resonate deeply. Whether it’s the precision of factory operations or the broader mission of creating a sustainable future, the experience at Halcyon’s processing plant reminded me why I chose this path.

 

The smell of processed rubber may fade from my memory, but the lessons learned here will stay with me. Sustainability, much like veterinary care, is about ensuring a thriving future, one step at a time.

 

More To Explore

News

GPSNR Working Groups Update: August 2024

Strategy and Objectives Working Group: Hubert has completed his updates to the Assurance Model documents, which are now being consulted with the membership through the Assurance Model Task Force. Members should provide written feedback through the feedback form, and those who wish to be more actively involved in finalising these documents are encouraged to write to the Secretariat to join the Task Force. Additionally, a webinar will be conducted to share these updates and initiate further feedback from the membership. To register for the webinar, click here.

Smallholders Representation and Capacity Building (SCB) Working Group: The following projects have been endorsed by SCB WG members: the Indonesia GAP Coaching (Phase 1) by Koltiva, and the Income Diversification and Rubber Agroforestry Project by Dr. Eric (CIRAD) and Dr. Maria. Continued oversight of ongoing projects, including the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project (Phase 2), is being maintained. Koltiva has submitted a mid-term report, with SCB WG members requested to review and provide feedback by 26 August 2024.

Goodyear has expressed interest in extending the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project into Phase 3, with Koltiva’s proposal currently under review by the funder and the Secretariat planning to circulate it to SCB WG members for review once finalised. The Knowledge Sharing Platform is on track, with Koltiva scheduled to deliver the outcomes by 20 August 2024 and a presentation to the SCB WG on 22 August 2024. The Thailand Agroforestry Project is proceeding smoothly, with the contract for an additional project to develop a local marketing system being finalised with RAFS. Additionally, the resolution on the Shared Investment Mechanism (SIM) was approved during the EGA in July 2024, and the Secretariat is facilitating the creation of a Project Management Sub-group within the SCB WG, which will be responsible for reviewing and monitoring projects under the SIM. The Terms of Reference (TORs) for this sub-group have been drafted and are pending approval from the GPSNR Executive Committee.

Shared Responsibility Working Group: The Shared Investment Mechanism has been approved by the General Assembly following the July Extraordinary General Assembly vote. The Secretariat will work on establishing the Shared Investment Mechanism and operationalising all aspects of the Shared Investment Framework. Additionally, the Secretariat will continue to develop the value transfer initiative through discussions with members.

News

Following the Conversation with GPSNR Topic Talks!

The GPSNR Topic Talks webinar series is organised by the GPSNR Secretariat and presented by GPSNR members. The webinars cover several themes around sustainability and the global natural rubber supply chain.

The series kicked off on 27 October with a presentation by Philippe Thaler from CIRAD, on the implications of EU legislation on imported deforestation.

The second webinar’s theme was on smallholder solutions and featured two separate presentations. “A landscape-level approach to inclusion and capacity building for rubber smallholders” was presented by Rizki Permana from SNV, Widyantoko Sumarlin from Kirana Megatara, and Tony Hill from Proforest. Speaking from experience with the Kelola-Sendang project in South Sumatra, the presenters explained how SNV, with Proforest support, worked with rubber smallholder groups in the jurisdictional initiative, which helped to forge new links between the smallholders and a crumb rubber factory buyer in the Kirana group. 

Next, “Exploring Smallholder Solutions in the Rubber Sector – The Processing and Sale of Rubberwood to Support Smallholder Financing in Indonesia” was presented by Amy Smith from WWF, Gerald Tan from HeveaConnect, with Renée Corstens and Remco Geervliet from Financial Access. This presentation shared the findings of a study which analyzed the potential of rubberwood to serve as a mechanism to support smallholder financing in Indonesia.

The next theme is Assurance and smallholders, and how we can learn from existing schemes. PEFC’s CEO Ben Gunneberg presented a webinar last night, elaborating on PEFC’s approach to standard-setting and certification. He also showcased PEFC’s current collaborative projects with their national members and companies to support smallholder producers, and how these will benefit GPSNR members and the work GPSNR is engaged in.

Continuing with the theme of Assurance and smallholders, FSC will be presenting on 8 December, an overview of smallholder certification solutions.

We are also pleased to announce an addition to the Topic Talks lineup: ‘REDD+, are carbon credits impacts overstated?’. This new presentation, jointly organized with GIZ and which will be held on 10 December, puts the spotlight on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) with an introduction to the REDD+ methodology, followed by a discussion with the authors of a recently published study, “Overstated carbon emission reductions from voluntary REDD+ projects in the Brazilian Amazon”. 

GPSNR members may contact the Secretariat to register for the upcoming Topic Talks.


Assurance and Smallholders: Learning from Existing Schemes Part 2

“FSC Smallholder Certification Solutions”

8 December | 7PM (GMT+8)

Presented by: FSC

The presentation will cover FSC’s solutions for smallholders to become certified. First, an overview of the evaluation of certification solutions for smallholders will be given. FSC’s existing solutions will be covered, with a focus on the benefits for FSC Group Certification. Next, solutions in the pipeline will be covered, addressing the impact of pilot projects and highlighting success stories.

REDD+, are carbon credits impacts overstated?  

10 December | 3PM (GMT+8)

Jointly Organized by: GIZ 

Presented by: GIZ and authors of the study

Using REDD+ projects to offset carbon emissions through avoided deforestation and the financial support of local communities is popular but also highly debated. Especially, voluntary REDD+ projects are regularly criticized as inefficient or even greenwashing. This presentation will provide an introduction to the REDD+ methodology. The authors of a recent critical study, “Overstated carbon emission reductions from voluntary REDD+ projects in the Brazilian Amazon” will then present their findings and suggestions as a basis for discussion.

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