Rumphi-based innovator and entrepreneur Bright Chiweta has taken an initiative to recycle used plastic bottles and phone scraps into durable plastic bricks since 2021.
Chiweta’s project has made significang progress with over 5,000 bricks produced to date. Out of these, 3,000 bricks have been sold, generating income and creating employment opportunities.
“I was inspired to start this project when I realised that I had accumulated a large amount of plastic waste from my phone repair business, I wanted to find a way to repurpose this waste and create something valuable,” he said.
Chiweta has employed two people to help him run the business, providing them with a source of income and contributing to the local economy.
However, he faces a challenge in scaling up his production. Currently, he uses a manual machine to produce the bricks, which limits his output.
“Despite the challenges, I remain committed to my project and I am exploring ways to mechanize my production process,” said Chiweta.
Enviromentalist Chidombe Msisya commended Chiweta’s initiative, saying: “Initiatives like these are crucial in addressing the issue of plastic waste in Malawi. It’s a great example of how innovation and entrepreneurship can be used to create sustainable solutions.”
