In a bold move to address Ghana’s plastic waste challenge, the government has announced a $7 million grant to support eight plastic recycling companies across the country. This funding aims to enhance their capacity to collect, recycle, and repurpose plastic waste, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, is part of a broader strategy to combat plastic pollution. Among the beneficiaries is Universal Plastic Products and Recycling Ghana (UPPR) Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies.
During a recent tour of recycling facilities in Accra, Sector Minister Murtala Mohammed emphasized the urgent need for improved plastic waste management. Currently, only 10% of Ghana’s plastic waste is recycled, leaving the remaining 90% to contribute to environmental pollution and public health risks.
“If we are only able to recycle 10%, what happens to the remaining 90%? They contribute to the environmental degradation and hazards we face,” Mohammed stated, stressing the importance of expanding support for businesses involved in plastic waste management.
The funding is expected to not only enhance recycling infrastructure but also create job opportunities in the sector. Mohammed urged beneficiary companies to prioritize employment generation as they scale up their operations.
On March 3, 2025, he visited several recycling facilities, including UPPR, Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant Limited (IRECOP), Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), Maternal Recovery Facility, and Nelplast Ghana Limited, to assess their operations and discuss how the grant would be utilized effectively.
With plastic pollution posing a significant threat to the environment, this investment signals the government’s commitment to sustainable waste management and economic growth through the circular economy.
