Ghana is tackling plastic pollution by converting discarded plastic into durable paving blocks that are cheaper than conventional concrete, offering a sustainable solution to both waste management and road infrastructure.
The initiative is led by Nelplast, a company founded by engineer Nelson Boateng. The company collects plastic waste from more than 500 waste collectors, shreds, washes and mixes it with sand before moulding it into paving blocks without using cement or bitumen. The finished blocks are around 30% cheaper than cement alternatives and are designed to resist cracks, fading and mould growth.
Accra generates an estimated 300–450 tonnes of plastic waste every day, while only a small portion is recycled. By creating market value for discarded plastic, the initiative provides income opportunities for hundreds of collectors, many of them women, while reducing plastic pollution.
The paving blocks have already been used in residential areas, government buildings and public walkways. Although production capacity remains limited due to equipment constraints, the project demonstrates how recycled plastic can support affordable infrastructure development while addressing mounting plastic waste.