Sorting out the plastic waste problem: How IMPLEMENTERS is creating a sustainable impact in Ghana

For the second post of our new blog series “Sorting out the plastic waste problem”, we spoke to Kofi Opoku, Senior Associate, Business Development – Corporate and Individual Philanthropy at IMPLEMENTERS. As part of the Ghana Recycling Project (GRP), he and his team are creating awareness for the impact of plastic waste among communities across the country while supporting local plastic collectors in enhancing their processes.

As a winner of our Plastic Waste Challenge, IMPLEMENTERS has been equipped with our Mobile NIR Spectroscopy Solution. In our interview, Kofi told us more about their mission to tackle recycling challenges in Ghana for future generations.

Tell us about IMPLEMENTERS and its mission …

Kofi: “IMPLEMENTERS is a project management non-profit that partners with charitable organisations, philanthropists, and corporate institutions to positively impact communities. In our quest to create a sustainable impact, we address social challenges and prioritise participatory development, which leads to a more tangible and lasting impact for future generations. We do this by using professionally developed processes that ensure that projects remain relevant even after years of implementation.”

Could you elaborate on recycling challenges you’re facing in Ghana?

“In January, we conducted interviews with stakeholders in the regional recycling industry through a face-to-face engagement to understand their operational and business needs.

The general results of the assessment indicated that most plastic collectors were only familiar with improper plastic waste management and recycling processes. The majority of respondents expressed their inability to distinguish between the different types of plastics. This is where our latest project, the Ghana Recycling Project (GRP) comes into play.”

What is at the core of the Ghana Recycling Project?

“The overall goal of our project is to educate the Ghanaian people on the impact of plastic waste when it comes to the environment and human life. But it doesn’t end there.

Another important goal lies in educating and building capacities for plastic collectors in Ghana by empowering them to use technologies that help make the plastic recycling process much simpler and more efficient.”