The Single Sharpest Fact in One or Two Punchy Sentences
A new project, the InnoWaste Project, has been launched in Ghana to transform plastic waste into economic opportunities and drive a circular future. The project is a collaboration between the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, and Blue Skies.
Speaking at the launch, Technical Advisor for develoPPP, Donald Manlenze Eshun, said the project aims to empower youth and women through innovative business opportunities within the plastic waste value chain. It has four major targets: increasing the quantity of plastics processed at recycling plants, creating 600 jobs with at least 30% reserved for women and 60% for youth, improving the working conditions of more than 3,600 people, and increasing the income levels of at least 365 actors within the plastic waste value chain.
According to Eshun, the project began in October last year and will run until September 2028. The initiative aims to create social impact and serve the business interests of private sector partners involved in the programme. He explained that about 500 people would receive tricycles, hand carts, and other equipment to support plastic collection activities.
The project plans to introduce plastic vending machines in selected locations across the country. "We have seen this in Europe and other developed countries, but we hardly see vending machines in Ghana," Eshun said. "This project is going to make sure we place some vending machines at selected points where people can deposit plastic bottles and receive rewards."
The InnoWaste Project is expected to run until 2028, with organisers hoping it will create cleaner communities, generate jobs, and build a more sustainable waste management system across Ghana. Ghana generates about one million metric tonnes of plastic waste every year, but only 9.5% is collected for recycling, the country's Chief Director at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology has warned.
Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, commended the collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector. She noted that Ghana's transition to a circular economy requires investment, stronger systems, and market confidence. Ghana is "seeing waste as a resource to be recovered and seizing the opportunity to build socio-economic growth through the circular economy, which is one of the most urgent transitions facing the country," she said.
The project focuses on strengthening cooperatives among waste collectors and recyclers. The cooperatives will receive financial management training, digital tools, motorbikes, and laptops to improve their operations. The project also plans to register at least 60,000 people under the National Health Insurance Scheme and provide health screening for waste workers who often operate under unsafe conditions.
Chief Director at the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, Suweibatu Adam, described the launch as an important step towards tackling Ghana's growing plastic waste crisis. She warned that plastic pollution in Ghana's water bodies could increase by 190% between 2020 and 2040 if urgent action is not taken. Ghana could generate more than GH¢88 million annually through plastic recycling, Adam said. "This is an opportunity we are here to seize," she stated.
Alistair Djimatey, Head of Foundation, Brand Communications, and Public Affairs, Blue Skies products, said the company joined the initiative because of growing concerns over plastic pollution. "Plastic waste has become one of the biggest environmental challenges of our generation," he said. "Yet within this challenge, there is also an opportunity." Djimatey described the InnoWaste Project as more than a recycling initiative. "It is about creating livelihoods, inspiring innovation, and building communities where sustainability becomes part of our everyday life," he stated.
Thomas Narh Korley, Head of the Zoomlion Foundation, highlighted the company's long-standing efforts to support informal waste workers. Korley recounted how Zoomlion had previously trained women from the informal waste sector to operate heavy-duty equipment and later employed them formally. The company had also provided health insurance and protective equipment to waste pickers working at landfill sites.
The InnoWaste Project is a collaborative effort among GIZ, Zoomlion, and Blue Skies. GIZ is providing funding for the project through the develoPPP programme. Zoomlion will provide equipment and support to waste collectors and aggregators, while Blue Skies will provide plastic vending machines and support to waste collectors.
The project aims to create jobs and economic opportunities for youth and women in the plastic waste management sector. It also aims to improve the working conditions of waste collectors and aggregators, and increase the income levels of actors in the plastic waste value chain. The project will also focus on strengthening cooperatives among waste collectors and recyclers, and providing health screening for waste workers.
The InnoWaste Project is a crucial step towards tackling Ghana's growing plastic waste crisis. By transforming plastic waste into economic opportunities, the project aims to create a circular economy in Ghana. It is a collaborative effort among government, development partners, and the private sector.
### Key Facts
- Ghana generates one million metric tonnes of plastic waste every year.
- Only 9.5% of plastic waste is collected for recycling.
- The project aims to create 600 jobs, with at least 30% reserved for women and 60% for youth.
- More than 3,600 people will benefit from improved working conditions.
- At least 365 actors in the plastic waste value chain will benefit from increased income levels.
- 500 people will receive tricycles, hand carts, and other equipment to support plastic collection activities.
- At least 60,000 people will be registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
- Plastic vending machines will be introduced in selected locations across the country.