US$2,500 EU-backed project trains 50 young people to turn plastic and sand into eco-bricks
By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
PLASTIC waste that once threatened to choke Beitbridge’s environment is being given a second life as young people turn it into eco-bricks in a project combining environmental protection with economic empowerment.
The initiative, being implemented by Ukuna Environment Association, a youth-led nonprofit organisation based in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe, that focuses on environmental conservation and youth empowerment.
It has already trained 50 youths in the production of eco-bricks made from plastic waste and sand.
Ukuna Programmes Officer Taphelo Magabo said the project was launched after the association benefited from the Youth Collective Action for Social Transformation (YCA4SoTra) programme in Matabeleland South.
“We are one of the beneficiaries of the Youth Collective Action for Social Transformation (YCA4SoTra) in Matabeleland South through a grant we won at a boot camp that was held by Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) Zimbabwe and funded by the European Union,” Magabo told Ziyah News Network.
The association received US$2,500 to support the initiative, which seeks to equip young people with skills in environmental management while promoting recycling and reducing plastic pollution.
“Not so long ago, we engaged 50 youths in Beitbridge where we were training them on eco-brick production,” Magabo said.
The group is now looking beyond training and hopes to establish a viable market for the products.
Robert Gibbons a member of the organisation said the eco-bricks could be marketed to schools and organisations for use in pavement construction.
“We aim to produce the bricks so that we penetrate the market and sell to schools and organisations, as they can be used for pavements,” Gibbons said.
He, however, said the products were not approved for constructing houses.
YCA4SoTra Project Officer said the programme was focused on strengthening the economic capacity of organisations while creating opportunities for young people through green jobs.
“The objective that WILD is working on is the economic strengthening of organisations, especially on issues of green jobs, and improving the economic empowerment of youths through green jobs,” the officer said.
The project is expected to help the youths increase eco-brick production and create employment opportunities in Beitbridge.
“We are expecting the youth to scale up eco-brick production and employment opportunities and improve the economic situations of youths here in Beitbridge,” the Project Officer said.
The initiative links environmental management with youth livelihoods by turning plastic waste into a potential source of income while promoting recycling in the border town.