In a bold move to curb plastic pollution and foster sustainable circular economy practices, SOLIBRA has unveiled the ECO BOX project in Treichville, a bustling district in Abidjan. The launch coincided with the World Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated on July 3, 2026, underscoring the urgency of addressing the district’s mounting plastic waste challenge.
Treichville was selected as the project’s pilot zone due to its high daily plastic waste output, which clogs drains and strains sanitation infrastructure. The ECO BOX initiative aims to turn this environmental liability into an economic opportunity through a structured waste collection and recycling system, transforming discarded plastics into valuable resources.
The project is a collaborative effort between SOLIBRA, the J’Adore de Treichville Foundation, and BIRWAST, a leading plastic waste recycling enterprise. This partnership seeks to enhance waste management, protect urban environments, and unlock local economic potential by creating jobs and promoting eco-friendly practices.
To kickstart operations, essential equipment was distributed to the ground teams, including six wheelbarrows, a collection tricycle, 80 trash bags, twelve rakes, gloves, shovels, and traditional brooms. These tools will empower local waste collectors to efficiently gather plastic waste from households and streets.
The ECO BOX project sets ambitious targets: gradually eliminating plastic waste from drainage systems to minimize flood risks, generating employment for local youth as collectors and drivers, and recycling collected plastics into reusable materials. A key component of the initiative is community engagement, with collectors tasked with educating residents on proper waste sorting and fostering a culture of cleanliness in Treichville.
The launch event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the project’s official commencement, followed by the symbolic handover of keys to the first collection tricycle. This vehicle will now traverse Treichville’s streets daily, collecting plastic waste and raising awareness about the importance of waste reduction.
