The booms have a benefit beyond reducing pollution in the rivers and the ocean. The project leads to a cleaner, greener environment for the communities along the river, with improvements to their drinking water and to their sanitation needs. Perhaps unexpectedly, the recovery of plastic waste also leads to employment for the local people. Much of the plastic waste is collected, separated, and sold to Buy Back centres for much-needed money. Even the plastic that is not recyclable goes to beneficiation centres where it can be mixed with gravel and made into bricks which can then be sold.