100% PLASTICA

100% PLASTIC

Collection and recycling of plastic waste in Hawassa, Ethiopia

18 MLN

bottles collected

400

collectors who have improved their lives

38 K

students and young people sensitized on environmental protection

A project designed to give a better future to the most vulnerable inhabitants of Awassa, Ethiopia, by monetizing the recycling of waste from the plastic island in the lake and from the city.

TO HELP HAWASSA COLLECTORS
CLEANING THE PLASTIC ISLAND

BACKGROUND

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
TO REDUCE PLASTIC
IN AWASSA

Solid waste management in Awassa, Ethiopia, is currently critical. The use of PET has grown exponentially due to the increased consumption of water and soft drinks in plastic bottles at the expense of glass. This growth has not been followed by an expansion of the waste collection and recycling system. A large plastic island threatens the biodiversity of the lake, and the accumulation of waste on the streets and in the sewers causes continuous clogging of the canals, flooding and soil sterility. In addition, the practice of burning waste increases health risks.

OBJECTIVES

HELP PEOPLE AND
THE ENVIRONMENT
BY RECYCLING WASTE

Our project aims to improve the living conditions of the Awassa community by exploiting the economic value of plastic recycling.

100% Plastica wants to transform the collection and recycling of solid waste into a source of additional income for the collectors, and into an opportunity to learn and reflect on the damage created by plastic for the environment and for the entire community.

WHAT WE WORK

AN INVOLVING AND
EFFECTIVE WASTE
RECYCLING CHAIN

With the 100% Plastica project we are creating a sustainable plastic recycling chain, involving the whole community in waste management. We have set up a collection centre and developed an efficient plan to rid the town and clean the lake. The collectors and the Hawassa Municipality are provided with training, appropriate tools and guidelines while primary and secondary schools are working on environmental awareness through the creation of workshops, laboratories and community interaction events.

RESULTS

A SUCCESS THAT GIVES HOPE TO THE COMMUNITY
OF HAWASSA

To date, with 100% Plastica we have created an effective sustainable plastic waste recycling management process. In addition to the creation and activation of the new plastic collection centre and the implementation of an efficient logistics plan, 400 people have been employed as collectors, with a strong prevalence of women. The awareness-raising programme on waste and environmental preservation involved more than 30,000 primary and secondary school students.