In a bold move to combat plastic pollution and foster sustainable waste management, SOLIBRA has unveiled its ECO BOX project, marking a significant milestone in Côte d’Ivoire’s environmental efforts. The initiative kicked off in Treichville, a bustling commune in Abidjan, aligning with the World Plastic Bag Free Day commemorated annually on July 3.
The project’s selection of Treichville wasn’t arbitrary. The commune faces a persistent challenge: staggering volumes of plastic waste clogging drainage systems and straining sanitation infrastructure. ECO BOX seeks to turn this pressing problem into an opportunity by establishing a robust framework for collecting and recycling plastic waste, transforming it into valuable resources.
Central to this initiative is a strategic partnership between SOLIBRA, the J’Adore de Treichville Foundation, and BIRWAST, a leading force in plastic waste recycling. Together, they aim to overhaul waste management practices, safeguard urban environments, and unlock economic potential for local communities.
To jumpstart operations, essential equipment was distributed to the project’s field teams. The haul included six wheelbarrows, a motorized tricycle for waste collection, 80 garbage bags, twelve rakes, alongside gloves, shovels, and traditional brooms—all critical tools to ensure efficient and hygienic waste handling.
The ECO BOX project sets ambitious targets: gradually eliminating plastic waste from drainage channels to mitigate flood risks, creating jobs for local youth as waste collectors and drivers, and converting collected plastics into reusable materials through recycling. Equally vital is raising public awareness. The collection teams will play a pivotal role in educating residents on proper waste segregation and fostering a culture of cleanliness in the commune.
The launch event was a vibrant affair, highlighted by the ceremonial ribbon-cutting that symbolized the official commencement of ECO BOX. Following the ceremony, the keys to the first collection tricycle were handed over to a frontline agent, who will now navigate Treichville’s streets to gather plastic waste, setting the project in motion.
