Sri Lanka-based apparel manufacturer and design-to-delivery solutions provider, MAS Holdingshas launched the MAS Foundation for Change, an independent non-profit organization to tackle social and environmental challenges related to biodiversity loss, ocean pollution, and lack of access to clean water.

Focusing on fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 15: Life on Land, the foundation builds upon the company-wide sustainability strategy, The Plan For Change, by working with other institutions to create large-scale positive impact. The non-profit will first focus on the expansion of the ‘Ocean Strainer’ pilot floating trash trap project introduced by MAS in 2020.

In its inaugural year, the Foundation will focus on the expansion of the ‘Ocean Strainer’ pilot floating trash trap project introduced by MAS in 2020, in collaboration with customers and other like-minded partners, as well as scaling up biodiversity restoration initiatives through reforestation, invasive species removal and enrichment.

The MAS Foundation for Change establishes a unique operational mechanism in which 100 per cent of donor funding is directed towards projects in the field with MAS absorbing all overhead costs. The distinctive model has already attracted global and local partners including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Parley for the Oceans, the Laudato Si Challenge Foundation, Solar Impulse (part of Sail Lanka Yachting Group), Clean Ocean Force Lanka, and the Galle Conservation Society.