We set up plastic collection and recycling centres in Africa, a continent that has become the dumping ground of Western countries and where disposal is practically non-existent. Ninety per cent of the rubbish is left on the streets and burnt, a practice that generates poisonous substances for people and the environment. In our centres we give priority to female employment, as women play a central role in the community and its well-being. In addition, we develop environmental education practices to raise public awareness on the defence and respect of the territory.
Ethiopia
The centres in Ethiopia produce PET eco-bales, mostly made of bottles collected from grassroots communities, which are then washed and sorted by colour to be made ready for the second stage of the recycling chain. Currently, the eco-bales are sold internally within the country.
Uganda
The Kampala centre was opened in autumn 2019 and produces PET eco-balls for the local market. The quality of the product leaving the centre is high, thanks to the careful manual labour of the women in sorting and washing the bottles.
Ghana
In Accra, despite slowdowns due to the pandemic, the first Associazione Zenzero centre was inaugurated at the beginning of 2021 with a major innovation: the plastic shredder. This machine allows the production of PET flakes with a higher market value and higher productivity. The decision to equip the centre with a shredder was motivated by demand from companies across the country and the desire to develop the "Zenzero Model" towards an increasingly high-performance circular economy system.
Kenya
From plastic to sustainable homes: the step is done. After two years of Research and Development in plastics recycling solutions, we have come to the patenting of the first recycled PET brick that will allow the construction of zero-impact homes. A great innovation that will have significant social, environmental and economic repercussions.
The recycled PET brick is easy to use and even simplifies the construction practice, speeding it up and making it modular: external and internal walls, but also elements such as surfaces of tables, chairs, beds, shelves, etc.
Kenya will be the first country to foresee the development of this green housing revolution for the benefit of those who now live in conditions of hardship or do not have a home.
