WE ARE Arris Desrosiers
ARRIS DESROSIERS is a Haitian partnership between Obed Arris and James Desrosiers. Using recycled plastics and other materials, such as textiles and leather, they are engaged in the manufacturing of products such as backpacks, handbags, and other related items. ARRIS DESROSIERS is registered as a commercial business at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI).
Context of Creation
Carrefour is located in the western part of Haiti, with thirteen (13) communal sections located over an area of 166.84 km2 and with a population estimated to be around 511,345. Although a mayor is elected every 4 years, there is very little government involvement in the commune, and therefore there is no garbage collection services, either public or private. This forces the inhabitants of the commune to dispose of their waste in whatever manner they can find. Regrettably, this is not done in the most thoughtful way, as it is the rivers, springs, sewers, ocean, and streets that serve as a dumping ground for the garbage. We see all sorts of things: used household appliances, rags, fruit and vegetable peelings, broken glass, and especially an abundance of plastic. Thus, Arris Desrosiers set out with the task of ridding the streets of the plastic, which not only causes degradation to the community but the environment as well. This practice is also a way of setting an example for other people who would like to intervene in the cleanup and protection of the environment. Safe drinking water is often a struggle for many Haitians, but for 5 gourdes (approximately 8 cents) three 9 oz. water bags can be purchased. Unfortunately, once finished, the small plastic bags are typically disposed of in the streets. The young company, Arris Desrosiers, works in the recycling of these plastics, specifically the water bags used by companies selling water such as Nationale, L And C, F And F, Titi water, etc. The worn bags that abound in the streets are transformed into interesting items such as backpacks, travel bags, satchels, etc. The goal of the production and sale of these products is to increase awareness of the danger posed by plastic waste, and to encourage government agencies to become involved, engaged, and interested in this area by providing means to allow for community recycling of waste that causes environmental dilapidation.
Our Team
Our team of young people who are currently employed by this company, all contribute in different ways; some work in garbage collection, others in processing, and some in the sewing of the items. It is a harmonious whole, a combination of will and creativity resulting in a job well done. Most of our employees are students, and a large amount of their salaries go to the payment of their schooling. By paying their own school fees, their families are able to save money for other needs. Also, some of the profit from our sales is used to hire more people; part of the vision of Arris Desrosiers is to get more people in the work force.
Our difficulties
One of the difficulties that we face is that many people don’t understand the value and importance of what we do. Some believe that the idea of walking with a plastic backpack is not glamorous and often they prefer buying products from foreign countries such as Michael Kors (MK), Gucci, Nike, and so on. For others, the idea seems intriguing however they hesitate in purchasing one of our items because it is not a product that they are familiar with. Our dreams is that Haitians stop making themselves poorer while financing the major foreign companies, and to encourage the purchasing of Haitian made products which will stimulate the economy and provide income within our own communities. We need increased publicity so that the general public can learn about our existence and our work so that our business can expand throughout the whole country.
Our projects
Until very recently, Arris Desrosiers was only working in recycling of plastic, however we intend to expand to other materials that can allow diversification in our products while remembering the goal of raising awareness of mismanagement of plastic waste in the country. We began incorporating a mixture of plastic and leather into the handbags for a female audience. For those not looking for products made from recycled plastic, we will be expanding into recycled textiles to provide an even greater selection of product. Moreover, increased awareness of our company will be a way for us to continue to exist when the goal has been met and the plastic waste has disappeared. Also, we would like to have multiple selling points in different areas of Haiti and different states in the US, as a way to increase our sales and to make the world know about the potential of the Haitian people and the true beauty that exists in Haiti.
Context of Creation
Carrefour is located in the western part of Haiti, with thirteen (13) communal sections located over an area of 166.84 km2 and with a population estimated to be around 511,345. Although a mayor is elected every 4 years, there is very little government involvement in the commune, and therefore there is no garbage collection services, either public or private. This forces the inhabitants of the commune to dispose of their waste in whatever manner they can find. Regrettably, this is not done in the most thoughtful way, as it is the rivers, springs, sewers, ocean, and streets that serve as a dumping ground for the garbage. We see all sorts of things: used household appliances, rags, fruit and vegetable peelings, broken glass, and especially an abundance of plastic. Thus, Arris Desrosiers set out with the task of ridding the streets of the plastic, which not only causes degradation to the community but the environment as well. This practice is also a way of setting an example for other people who would like to intervene in the cleanup and protection of the environment. Safe drinking water is often a struggle for many Haitians, but for 5 gourdes (approximately 8 cents) three 9 oz. water bags can be purchased. Unfortunately, once finished, the small plastic bags are typically disposed of in the streets. The young company, Arris Desrosiers, works in the recycling of these plastics, specifically the water bags used by companies selling water such as Nationale, L And C, F And F, Titi water, etc. The worn bags that abound in the streets are transformed into interesting items such as backpacks, travel bags, satchels, etc. The goal of the production and sale of these products is to increase awareness of the danger posed by plastic waste, and to encourage government agencies to become involved, engaged, and interested in this area by providing means to allow for community recycling of waste that causes environmental dilapidation.
Our Team
Our team of young people who are currently employed by this company, all contribute in different ways; some work in garbage collection, others in processing, and some in the sewing of the items. It is a harmonious whole, a combination of will and creativity resulting in a job well done. Most of our employees are students, and a large amount of their salaries go to the payment of their schooling. By paying their own school fees, their families are able to save money for other needs. Also, some of the profit from our sales is used to hire more people; part of the vision of Arris Desrosiers is to get more people in the work force.
Our difficulties
One of the difficulties that we face is that many people don’t understand the value and importance of what we do. Some believe that the idea of walking with a plastic backpack is not glamorous and often they prefer buying products from foreign countries such as Michael Kors (MK), Gucci, Nike, and so on. For others, the idea seems intriguing however they hesitate in purchasing one of our items because it is not a product that they are familiar with. Our dreams is that Haitians stop making themselves poorer while financing the major foreign companies, and to encourage the purchasing of Haitian made products which will stimulate the economy and provide income within our own communities. We need increased publicity so that the general public can learn about our existence and our work so that our business can expand throughout the whole country.
Our projects
Until very recently, Arris Desrosiers was only working in recycling of plastic, however we intend to expand to other materials that can allow diversification in our products while remembering the goal of raising awareness of mismanagement of plastic waste in the country. We began incorporating a mixture of plastic and leather into the handbags for a female audience. For those not looking for products made from recycled plastic, we will be expanding into recycled textiles to provide an even greater selection of product. Moreover, increased awareness of our company will be a way for us to continue to exist when the goal has been met and the plastic waste has disappeared. Also, we would like to have multiple selling points in different areas of Haiti and different states in the US, as a way to increase our sales and to make the world know about the potential of the Haitian people and the true beauty that exists in Haiti.
