Accra: Ghana has commenced an initiative to convert used plastic bottles (polyethylene terephthalate – PET) into polyester yarn for clothing production. The project forms part of a broader circular economy initiative, led by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative aims to reduce plastic waste through innovative recycling solutions that promote sustainable development, job creation, and environmental protection. At its core is Universal Plastic Products and Recycling Limited (UPPR), the company selected to implement the PET-to-yarn processing model. Mr. Ashwani Rajwal, General Manager of UPPR, speaking at a stakeholder inception meeting, described the project as the first of its kind in Ghana and Africa, offering a breakthrough in the fight against plastic pollution.

‘This is not just about recycling, this is about repurposing. We are going to turn PET plastic bottles into high-value yarns that can be used for textiles and garments. This gives plastic a truly circular life,’ he said. Mr. Rajwal explained that the initiative involves collecting, cleaning, shredding, and melting PET bottles, which are then spun into durable polyester fibres. These fibres, he noted, could be used to produce t-shirts, school uniforms, bags, and other textile products, creating new markets and economic opportunities, particularly in the fashion and garment sectors.

Preparatory activities have begun, including community-based buy-back centres and the involvement of informal waste collectors, who retrieve plastic waste from homes, drains, and public spaces. Dr Glenn K. Gyimah, Project Coordinator at Jospong Group of Companies, described the project as a ‘game-changer’ in Africa’s recycling narrative. ‘This is the first time we will see PET plastics being upcycled into high-value materials with real market potential. It proves that plastic waste can indeed be part of Africa’s industrial transformation,’ he said.

Mr. Gyimah stated that the transformation of PET into yarn provided substantial environmental advantages, particularly through the reduction of carbon emissions. He explained that recycling PET into yarn consumed less energy and resources than producing virgin PET, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions. ‘That contributes to mitigating climate change and reducing the overall environmental footprint of textile manufacturing,’ he said.

The initiative is already driving job creation through community-based buy-back centres and training partnerships with schools and vocational institutions. It also integrates informal waste collectors into formal systems, ensuring economic benefits for their efforts. Ghana generates over 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet less than 10 per cent is recycled. PET plastics, once considered difficult to reuse, now offer new economic promise.