"We were faced with a huge challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, our borders were closed, the business was threatened to shut down. Prospero provided the much-needed support through a COVID-19 relief grant that enabled us to continue purchasing raw materials and maintain operations despite the economic downturn."
About Alpha Polyplast Limited
Alpha Polyplast Limited, based in Ndola, specializes in recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles into polyester strapping. As Zambia's largest recycling company, they export 85% of products to regional markets including South Africa, DRC, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Malawi, and Tanzania.
The Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic and border closures disrupted export operations, which are the company's main source of operational capital. This threatened the livelihoods of over 300 waste pickers and risked shutting down operations completely.
Prospero's Intervention
Prospero provided a COVID-19 relief grant of £20,031, enabling the company to continue purchasing raw materials (bottle waste) from waste pickers and maintain operations during the economic crisis.
Sector: Sustainable Industries
Impact & Results
The partnership with Prospero has yielded remarkable results:
- + Sustained 73 full-time and 8 casual employees through the pandemic
- + Continued supporting over 300 waste pickers (earning up to $450/month)
- + Collected over a million tonnes of bottle waste
- + Reduced plastic pollution and environmental degradation
- + Maintained regional export operations across 7 countries
- + Empowered youths and women in vulnerable communities
- + Demonstrated transformative potential of recycling for environment and communities
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