WASTE TO WEALTH

Green Cosmos Zambia’s Waste-to-Wealth Project is a community-led initiative that transforms plastic waste into eco-friendly products while creating green livelihood opportunities for young people and vulnerable communities. The project responds to the growing challenge of plastic pollution in urban settlements, where unmanaged waste blocks drainage systems, contributes to flooding, and damages community health and ecosystems.

Our approach is practical: instead of treating plastic waste as a problem, we turn it into an opportunity. Young people are trained to collect, sort, and process plastic waste into useful products, including eco-bricks, while gaining entrepreneurship and environmental management skills.

With support from ACT Ubumbano, we successfully implemented the first phase of the project, which runs until June 2026. Through this engagement, we trained over 250 young people and community members in waste management, recycling, and plastic transformation techniques. Beyond training, the project focused on practical application—supporting participants to test ideas and start small green enterprises. Encouragingly, some beneficiaries have already begun their own waste collection and recycling activities, creating income while helping reduce plastic pollution in their communities.

We are now seeking funding to build on this momentum rather than start again. Our goal is to expand the Waste-to-Wealth model to reach more communities, increase plastic collection and eco-brick production, and establish community-based recycling hubs where youth can access tools, mentorship, and markets.

The fundraising goal is to scale a model that has already shown results: turning waste into value, reducing environmental pollution, and creating sustainable livelihoods for young people. By investing in this next phase, we can move from a successful pilot to a stronger, long-term community restoration and green jobs program