Plastic waste is a pervasive problem in the streets and landscapes of Dakar, Senegal. Plastic bags, containers, and wrappers are often found abandoned in public spaces, on sidewalks, and even on beaches. However, Plastic Odyssey, a pioneering company, is striving to address this issue through an innovative recycling system. Their low-tech process not only aims to recycle plastic waste but also promotes this initiative in other cities, such as the former capital, Saint Louis, where a second micro-factory was opened last November.
Plastic Odyssey is part of the SUNU project, which has received support from the French Embassy in Senegal, Senegalese authorities, and local partners. The project's goal is to create additional factories across the country, managed by Senegalese entrepreneurs who will employ a locally trained workforce. This will allow the company to process and recycle approximately 4,000 to 5,000 tons of plastic annually, while creating 150 local jobs.
It is essential to note that the project is focused on the local communities. Despite the strained diplomatic relations between Senegal and France, the initiative has gained momentum, with the support of local authorities. During a visit to Plastic Odyssey's industrial park in Dakar's port area, we met with Elisabeth Demaegdt, the project manager, and Alta Sene Ba, the deputy general manager. Both young women guided us through the factory, explaining in detail the various steps of the plastic recycling process. Despite the limited time for our visit due to workers' prayer schedules and an evening event with over 200 guests, the managers were thorough in their explanations.
At the Dakar factory, around 30 people work, while the Saint Louis facility employs about 12 people. The plastic waste they collect comes from various sources, including the Mbeubeuss landfill in Dakar—one of the largest open-air dumps in the world—and from companies such as Auchan, Patisen, and BaeauBab. After being separated, the plastic is shredded, washed, and then melted at approximately 200°C before being molded into new products. These products include items such as chairs, tables, benches, containers, pallets, trash bins, and flooring. They also offer a catalog of products that can be made in different colors, including blue, brown, green, and black.
Currently, Plastic Odyssey’s market primarily serves businesses and institutions, as there is limited demand from private individuals, though families are not excluded from purchasing their products.
What makes the project truly innovative is the approach it takes toward expansion. Plastic Odyssey has developed a modular system, contained in large shipping containers, that can be easily transported and set up to establish new factories. The equipment is produced locally in the Dakar factory. According to the SUNU project, by 2026, they plan to deploy another eight factories across Senegal, with the next likely locations being Sabodala, Kaolack, and Touba.
The entrepreneurs and workers involved are trained in the necessary procedures and job tasks for the production cycle. In Dakar, workers are paid between €180 and €400 per month, which is higher than the average salary in Senegal. While the project leaders remain enthusiastic, they expressed a desire to do more, especially in the area of waste collection, provided that local authorities can accelerate partnerships.
Plastic Odyssey also runs awareness campaigns in schools to educate the public about the environmental damage caused by plastic pollution. The director mentioned that Senegal produces around 250,000 tons of plastic annually, but only a small fraction is recycled. This statistic is a stark reminder of the need for change, as Professor Adams Tidjani, a specialist in microplastics, points out that environmental concerns are often overlooked by local leaders until they perceive them as a potential source of revenue.
Despite these challenges, Plastic Odyssey’s founders, Simon Bernard and Alexandre Dechelotte, along with their team in Dakar, are driven by determination. Their innovative business model offers significant potential for improving waste management and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable environment in Senegal.
