Plastic Loop, The Gambia
A locally rooted circular economy platform that turns plastic waste in the Greater Banjul Area into marketable products, local jobs and longer-term production capacity.
Local context
Why The Gambia, why now
The Gambia is Africa's smallest mainland country, ranking 174th out of 193 on the Human Development Index, with a national poverty rate of around 48% (World Bank, 2022) and roughly 84% of employed youth in informal work (GBoS, 2023). Most waste goes to informal dumpsites or gets burned in backyards. Uncollected waste pollutes the River Gambia and its mangrove forests on its way to the Atlantic.
Lead implementation partner
Hustle for Humanity Gambia
Hustle for Humanity Gambia (HFH-G), led by Musa Jallow, is the local implementation lead for Plastic Loop. The team handles day-to-day coordination, monitoring, community engagement and stakeholder mobilisation on the ground in the Greater Banjul Area.
What makes Plastic Loop local
Built around The Gambia's own conditions
A community collection network
Clearly labelled plastic collection points sit at schools, markets and community centres, backed by regular collection drives run with schools, youth groups and women's associations.
Energy built for the coast
The hybrid solar, battery and generator system is calibrated to the Gambian coast's seasonal solar profile, with separate dry-season and wet-season planning so that production continuity does not depend on grid power alone.
Designed with local businesses
Product development happens together with local furniture makers, construction firms, hospitality operators and retailers, who help shape designs and also serve as distribution channels.
Want to know more about Plastic Loop
Get in touch to learn more about Plastic Loop, Hustle for Humanity Gambia, or the wider Plastic Circle West Africa programme.
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