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Danish Refugee Council launches new initiative with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation

Turning plastic waste into sustainable livelihoods in East Africa

According to WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature, Africa contains rapidly increasing volumes of plastic waste/is experiencing a rapid surge in plastic waste, alongside a growing refugee and displaced population. Facing significant barriers to sustainable employment, many people in this population group turn to informal waste collection, often working without full respect and recognition of their rights, protective equipment, or stable incomes.

With funding support from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) aims to address these challenges through its Fair Recycling model, transforming plastic waste management into a driver of jobs, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and more dignified livelihoods for informal waste pickers in communities across Kenya and Uganda.

The Fair Recycling 2.0 initiative builds on the success of the model first piloted in Kenya between 2021-2024, with support from Danida. The initiative seeks to integrate waste pickers into the formal economy, strengthen recycling value chains, promote fair pricing, and develop more sustainable waste management solutions into both urban and refugee settings. In the shifting global environment, forging new strategic partnerships to support people who have been displaced is more important than ever.

We are very excited to scale up the Fair Recycling initiative with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation. This innovative approach, turning plastic waste management into dignified livelihoods and opportunities for formal employment for refugees, is an excellent example of a durable solution to displacement. Thanks to the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation, we are now expanding the initiative in Kenya and Uganda, strengthening the self-reliance of refugees while contributing to more sustainable waste management in the region.

Charlotte Slente, Secretary-General, Danish Refugee Council

The Fair Recycling model has demonstrated that inclusive programs can help transform waste into value, enhance livelihoods, and contribute to the DRC’s green transition efforts in the East African region. The new initiative signals a shared commitment to building stronger systems, safer working environments and more dignified economic opportunities for both refugee and host communities.

Waste collectors employed by the Fair Recycling initiative at work, Nairobi Photo: DRC Kenya

Our mission is to make a difference in communities around the world by investing in transformative ideas and institutions that help address some of our most pressing global challenges. The Coca-Cola Foundation is proud to invest in the Fair Recycling initiative to help deliver impact at scale by strengthening recycling systems and expanding dignified livelihood opportunities for waste pickers in Kenya and Uganda. Our efforts aim to help protect livelihoods and strengthen resilience of refugees, while reducing plastic waste.

Carlos Pagoaga, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation

The Fair Recycling initiative is implemented in areas experiencing high levels of plastic pollution, limited recycling infrastructure, and high unemployment among youth, women, and refugees. DRC works with private-sector partners in plastic recycling and digital technology to leverage collaboration and help build an inclusive and sustainable plastic recycling ecosystem in Kenya and Uganda.