Plastic Odyssey Microfactories

Plastic Odyssey Factories

Plastic Odyssey Microfactories

Containerized microfactories that empower underserved entrepreneurs to formalize plastic waste work, create jobs, and access new income streams.

Dakar, Senegal

SEN

Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

Over 2 billion people work in the informal economy without access to formal income, credit, or protections. In Senegal and across many low-income countries, waste collectors and unemployed youth are trapped in a cycle of unrecognized, low-income labor—often earning less than $2/day without contracts, benefits, or access to financing. At the same time, plastic pollution is rising—Senegal alone produces over 250,000 tons of plastic waste per year, with less than 15% recycled. But informal recyclers lack the tools, visibility, and connections to convert that waste into value. Financial institutions, governments, and formal employers often overlook these populations, creating barriers to job creation and entrepreneurship in the circular economy. Plastic Odyssey Factories addresses this dual crisis: we provide the infrastructure and ecosystem for informal workers to become recognized entrepreneurs, access formal markets, and join a growing, decentralized green economy.

Plastic Odyssey Microfactories are containerized recycling units that transform plastic waste into valuable products—while enabling underserved entrepreneurs to launch formal, income-generating businesses. Each unit contains robust, easy-to-maintain machinery—shredders, extruders, and presses—designed to operate in low-infrastructure settings. The units can run on solar power and are supported by an integrated ecosystem that includes: -Technical and business training -A tailored ERP system to manage operations, inventory, and cash flow -A blockchain traceability platform to verify impact and unlock plastic credit revenue -Access to shared sales channels and institutional buyers We deploy these units via a franchise model, supporting youth, women, and informal waste workers to transition into recognized entrepreneurs. Our system helps them digitize their operations, track financial data, and become eligible for credit, procurement contracts, and impact financing. With 5 pilot factories launched and over 400 workers trained, we’re turning plastic waste into a tool for economic mobility and formal job creation.

Our solution directly serves young entrepreneurs, informal waste collectors, and underserved communities in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in coastal and peri-urban areas. These populations often face high unemployment rates, limited access to training, and precarious income sources. Informal waste collectors, in particular, work in unsafe conditions and remain disconnected from formal markets, often earning less than $2/day. Meanwhile, youth and women have limited opportunities to start businesses in the circular economy due to high entry barriers and lack of technical support. Plastic Odyssey Microfactories address these challenges by: -Empowering local entrepreneurs through a franchise model with full technical, operational, and business support -Formalizing the waste value chain, providing collectors with fair prices, protective gear, and access to health coverage -Creating jobs in recycling, manufacturing, logistics, and sales -Producing local goods, such as school furniture and paving tiles, that address urgent community needs By turning plastic waste into a source of income, dignity, and resilience, we help communities build inclusive, locally driven circular economies. To date, over 100 youth and waste workers have been trained or supported through our pilot factories, with growing demand across West Africa and Southeast Asia.