rePATRN: Creating Social Impact while Solving Ghana’s Plastic Waste Problem
EIT Climate-KIC start-up rePATRN focuses on recovering the value in Ghana’s waste plastic; their business model generates local socio-economic and environmental benefits in addition to climate benefits.
A large part of waste collection in Ghana is performed by informally employed waste pickers. rePATRN seeks to turn this existing workforce into a network of self-employed formal suppliers.
Moving to a circular economy means altering the way we think; waste pickers in Ghana are marginalised because they deal with waste but, by showing that PET is a valuable commodity, rePATRN aims to shift perceptions of waste-picking itself.
rePATRN’s business model therefore shows that innovative circular solutions don’t have to involve technological disruption – they can be built on existing structures.