Creating a fashion business out of waste
Selina Appiagyei is one of the beneficiaries of a project aimed at not only providing skills training to increase the economic levels of the youth but also investing in greening of businesses and securing climate justice.
The Sustainable Livelihoods and Transparent Local Authorities (SLATLA) project, funded by the European Union is being implemented by ActionAid Ghana in partnership with two district assemblies in the Greater Accra Region; the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA) and the Sunyani West District Assembly.
One of its training is in plastic waste recycling.
A seamstress by profession, the 29-year old mother decided to join the plastic waste recycling training,
I heard of the SLATLA project through a friend and decided to participate. I chose plastic waste because of my sewing background and the strong desire to help reduce waste in the environment.
Through this project I have met new people and expanded my network. I have gained knowledge in how to use plastic waste as a resource rather than regarding it as just a waste material.
After the training, five of us decided to come together to form a cooperative known as the Re-Users. We are currently left with three because two had to relocate for family and work purposes.
We have made some of the items and given them out as gifts, for personal use and sold a few. we mostly preserve the plastics used in our houses and collect that of our neighbours for our production.
We have also had training in social media marketing which has also taught us how to market our products online. We intend to produce more and market it on social media platforms as a way to increase awareness on the use of plastic waste in the country.
This project has been very helpful to me, my team and family. I am forever grateful
Editor's Note:
The Sustainable Livelihoods and Transparent Local Authorities (SLATLA) project is currently being implemented in collaboration with two District Assemblies; the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA) and the Sunyani West District Assembly and has been providing agribusiness (mushroom, vegetable, poultry, grass cutter farming as well as poultry feed processing) and artisanal trainings (ICT, tiling, plumbing, embroidery and plastic waste recycling) to youth, women and People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in 45 communities in these two districts.
The project is funded by the European Union and is aimed at increasing growth of local economies as well as generating revenue for local authorities to fund the provision of basic services and public amenities.
