Location - Accra, Ghana

Groups Involved - Amazon sell Trashy Bags' products so that the business can sell their products to consumers throughout Europe.

Background - With a population of approximately 2.9 million, Accra is the rapidly growing capital city of Ghana. The city produces nearly 2,000 metric tons of waste daily, only an estimated 60% of this is collected (Veolia. 2020). This results in uncollected plastics being burnt illegally, polluting streams/the ocean and blocking drainage systems (Veolia. 2020). Accra has a severe issue with waste management, the waste is slowly taking over the city. Ghana’s economical system could do much better, the GDP per capita is $2,202. There is room for improvement. Ghana needs a way to tackle its waste problem whilst injecting money into the economy.

Aims -Trashy Bags aims to tackle the waste situation in Accra, whilst assisting the economy. The business is aiming to encourage further recycling across the city to tackle the waste issue.

Products Recycled - A variety of plastics including advertising billboard signs.

Products - Since the bags are made from a variety of materials such as advertising billboards etc, each bag is unique in design and colour. Trashy bags converts plastics into a variety of bags and gifts such as: laptop bags/sleeves, shopping bags, vanity cases, tote bags, backpacks, purses, handbags etc. Each product is unique in colour and has a unique design due to it being made from a specific type of plastic waste.

Social Impacts - The products that are sold are affordable.

Economic Impacts - Trashy Bags have hired over 40 people to collect, clean and stitch plastic waste in the form of sachets that have previously been used to contain drinking water. This waste is then turned into their products. Trashy Bags is creating employments for people to reduce unemployment rates, it is also assisting to help boost money into the economy.

Environmental Impacts -Trashy bags is helping to reduce the burden of plastic waste sachets that exist on the streets of Accra. It is assisting to reduce the rate of waste pollution. Less waste will be contaminating drinking water from streams and even reducing the contamination of the ocean thus protecting marine ecosystems and wildlife.

References - Veolia (2020). https://www.seureca.veolia.com/en/latest-news/improving-plastic-management-accra-ghana#:~:text=With%20a%20population%20of%20nearly,in%20streams%20and%20the%20ocean. Trashy Bags main website: http://trashybags.org/