Climate-Smart Waste Management and Recycling Initiative

HCGI implemented a comprehensive climate-focused recycling project that engaged women, waste collectors, and adolescents in climate action through sustainable waste management practices. This initiative addressed the critical climate challenge of plastic pollution while creating economic opportunities for vulnerable community members through climate-smart livelihood strategies. The project involved mobilizing community members to collect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and plastic waste from households, markets, and restaurants, transforming climate-damaging waste into valuable resources for climate mitigation.

Participants were provided with stipends and compensated with yam heads for farming activities, creating a circular economy approach that simultaneously addresses climate change and food security challenges. The comprehensive waste processing involved collecting, sorting, hot washing, shredding, and bagging recyclable materials for sale, demonstrating measurable climate impact through waste diversion from landfills and prevention of greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing plastic waste.