The Waste to Use Challenge’s judges unanimously decided to award the investment to Plastic Recycling Gambia.
The judges said they chose Plastic Recycling Gambia due to the strength of the business case presented, the environmental impact of the organisation in saving a large amount of plastic from waterways and dump sites and the income-generating potential for informal waste collectors who are part of the collection network.
Alieu Sowe’s Plastics Recycling Gambia collect up to 30 tonnes of hard plastic a month from 21 collection points, providing income for up to 21 waste collectors, which is then distributed across the Greater Banjul Area. They sort, wash and grind down into plastic pellets to then sell to local plastic manufacturers.
Waste to Use Challenge winner, Alieu Sowe, said: “Winning this competition has boosted my and my team’s motivation, and will help us to grow Plastics Recycling Company. Reaching 50 tonnes regrinds monthly is sufficient for a financially stable and sustainable company.
“Above this turnover, a modest profit can be made that will be reinvested to ensure organic growth of the company and that growth includes expanding to reach other regions.”
Winning this competition has boosted my and my team’s motivation, and will help us to grow Plastics Recycling Company.
WasteAid says it will also continue to work with the runners-up, Sulayman Darboe of Green Waste Initiative (GWI) and Sainabou Gaye of African Swag Collection, to “hone” their presented business plans.
WasteAid’s Waste to Use Challenge was part of an initiative funded by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) to fast-track circular economy initiatives in The Gambia.
Commenting on the announcement, Michelle Wilson, Director of Programmes, said: “It was exciting to see the quality of ideas and level of the entrants which confirms to us that grassroots organisations are key to the development of a vibrant circular economy in The Gambia.
“It is impossible for local government to tackle the waste and environmental crisis on their own. The ambition and drive of all our entrants, particularly given their age, the majority are under 30, is amazing to see.
“WasteAid will continue to support the sector through the Circular Economy Network and looks forward to seeing these companies flourish”
Anna Willetts, President of CIWM, added: “We are proud to see the positive difference that CIWM funding is making to these sustainable circular initiatives in The Gambia.
“As part of a delegation visiting next month, I am looking forward to seeing for myself each of the projects and how local entrepreneurs, the finalists and, of course, the winner continue to develop and contribute to CIWM’s ambition of a world beyond waste.”
