Turning Trash into Triumph:
Plastic Waste Empowerment Program
At Women Palm Tree Organization (WPTO), we’re tackling Dzaleka Refugee Camp’s plastic crisis head-on by transforming pollution into opportunity. With over 63,000 refugees and plastic waste choking ecosystems, livelihoods, and health, our program empowers women to lead a green revolution, one recycled bottle at a time.
Vision for the Future
- By 2030, we aim to establish Dzaleka as a zero-plastic-waste refugee camp.
- Launch a women-owned recycling cooperative exporting upcycled products globally.
- Integrate climate education into school curricula, nurturing eco-conscious generations.
The Plastic Crisis in Dzaleka
Environmental & Economic Toll
- Lost Livelihoods: Plastic-clogged soil devastates crops, crippling agriculture for 85% of families reliant on farming.
- Damaged Infrastructure: Blocked drainage systems worsen flooding, destroying homes and schools during rains.
- Climate Threats: Burning plastic releases toxins, poisoning air and accelerating climate vulnerability.
Human Cost
- Health Risks: Microplastics infiltrate food and water, linked to cancers, infertility, and developmental harm in children.
- Cycle of Poverty: Pollution drives unemployment, pushing women into risky informal work.
Our Solution: Women-Led Circular Economy
We combat plastic waste by turning it into jobs, products, and hope for refugee and host community women.
1. Waste Collection & Sorting
Train and employ 200+ women to collect, sort, and process plastic waste.
Provide protective gear, carts, and fair wages ( $3/day, doubling the camp’s average income).
2. Recycling & Upcycling
Transform plastic into sellable goods:
Eco-bricks for rebuilding homes and school benches.
Recycled crafts (bags, mats) sold locally and internationally.
Paving tiles from melted plastic for flood-resistant pathways.
3. Skills Training & Advocacy
Workshops on circular economy, micro-entrepreneurship, and climate literacy.
Campaigns to reduce single-use plastic in schools and markets.
Impact & Benefits
Economic Empowerment
Creates 500+ green jobs for women by 2026.
Frees agriculture from plastic pollution, reviving crop yields for 1,000+ families.
Environmental Revival
Aims to collect 10 tons of plastic monthly, reducing camp waste by 40%.
Prevents 15,000 kg of CO₂ emissions annually through recycling vs. burning.
Social Transformation
Women gain leadership roles in community clean-up committees.
Refugees and locals collaborate, dissolving tensions over shared environmental goals.
