Africa is turning plastic waste into opportunity. Innovative companies are transforming trash into high-value products, creating jobs, boosting local economies, and powering a circular economy.
Every bottle, bag, and container becomes a resource that fuels business, community, and environmental progress.
Here are the top 5 Africa-founded plastic recycling companies leading the way:
— Mr. Green Africa (Kenya): A Nairobi-based startup that processes post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality recycled materials, integrating informal waste collectors into its value chain through fair trade principles.
— Kubik (Ethiopia): An upcycling startup that converts difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into low-cost, low-carbon-emission construction materials, supporting affordable housing projects in Ethiopia.
— Coliba (Ivory Coast): Collects and recycles plastic waste into granules for industrial use, promoting a circular economy and generating economic value from discarded plastics.
— Trashy Bags Africa (Ghana): Transforms plastic waste into reusable shopping bags, fashion accessories, and school supplies while employing local workers and empowering communities.
— Takataka Plastics (Uganda): Recycles discarded bottles and packaging into tiles, face shields, flower pots, and other products, creating jobs and advancing environmental sustainability.
These African-owned companies lead the continent’s plastic recycling revolution. Through local leadership and scalable innovation, they turn waste into wealth, generate jobs, and drive sustainable growth.
International players contribute too, but these firms prove African entrepreneurs shape the future of recycling.
This ranking highlights African-founded and African-owned plastic recycling companies actively turning waste into resources.
Selection was based on operational scale, innovation, market impact, and contribution to sustainability.
Information was compiled from company reports, media coverage, and industry sources, updated as of August 2025.
Image Credit: Labels and Labeling
