By Sainabou Sambou
In The Gambia, a small West African nation grappling with a mounting plastic waste crisis, a local initiative is transforming trash into treasure. Precious Plastic Gambia, founded by four environmentally driven individuals, is tackling the country’s 23,000-tonne annual plastic waste problem by recycling it into valuable products, from benches to earrings, while inspiring a shift in public attitudes toward waste.
The scale of the challenge is staggering. The World Bank reports that The Gambia generates about 63,000 kilograms of plastic waste daily, with 83.6% inadequately managed. This has led to widespread environmental damage, particularly in coastal areas where beaches like Brufut and Sanyang are littered with over 5 kilograms of plastic per meter each year, according to Marine Pollution Bulletin. The consequences are dire for marine life, tourism, and local communities.
Inspired by Dutch designer Dave Hakkens’ global Precious Plastic movement, the Gambian initiative collects plastic waste from beaches, individuals, and businesses, paying collectors D65–D75 per kilogram for clean bottle caps. With support from the National Environment Agency (NEA) and funding from the UNDP, the group uses recycling machines to process common plastics like High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)—materials that, per National Geographic, can linger in the environment for up to 450 years.
“We saw the urgent need to tackle plastic waste,” said Co-founder and Head of Operations Babucarr E. Camara in an interview with The Alkamba Times. “Individually, we lacked resources, so we united to make a difference.”
The results are tangible. Precious Plastic Gambia turns discarded plastic into outdoor furniture like benches (D2,500), jewelry such as earrings (D250–D300), and school supplies like 15cm rulers, with plans to produce 30cm versions as demand rises.
According to the World Economic Forum, these efforts not only clean up the environment but also cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% compared to virgin plastic production.
Yet, changing mindsets remains a hurdle. A Gambia Environmental Alliance survey found that just 12% of Gambians recycle, largely due to limited awareness and infrastructure. “A big part of our work is educating people about the value in waste,” Camara said.
Employing six people—four women and two men—the initiative has ambitious plans to scale up, aiming to create hundreds of jobs and produce construction materials like durable plastic bricks, which The Guardian notes can outlast traditional options fivefold. This aligns with The Gambia’s National Action Plan to End Plastic Pollution, launched in October 2024, which targets an 86% reduction in plastic waste over the next decade through bans on single-use plastics and improved waste management.
Despite funding and policy enforcement challenges, Precious Plastic Gambia proves that recycling can drive sustainability and economic growth. The World Bank highlights that similar efforts elsewhere in Africa have boosted national GDP by up to 0.5%. One recycled product at a time, this small team is turning The Gambia’s plastic problem into a source of wealth and hope.
