World Bank Group

From Plastic Waste to Wealth: Advancing Jobs and Tourism in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone's stunning coastline holds significant economic potential for tourism. But plastic pollution has put all of that at risk. Now, the government and local entrepreneurs are turning this challenge into opportunity: from backpacks woven out of discarded plastic sachets to building blocks made from recycled plastic waste, they are creating jobs while building a more sustainable tourism destination. With support from the World Bank Group's PROBLUE multi-donor trust fund, 20 hotels have reduced their single-use plastic footprint, hundreds of volunteers have removed kilograms of plastic debris from coastal areas, and entrepreneurs are converting waste to bricks and other products. The investments are clearly driving change. Businesses are thriving. Communities are earning an income. And the tourism market is growing. Sierra Leone is creating jobs, cleaning the coast, and growing a circular economy to protect our ocean, environment and our planet. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-plastic-waste-wealth-addressing-pollution-advancing-jcsse/?trackingId=Djy46Q%2BCV6DVqqDchFwzWQ%3D%3D https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/6bbe7bfea5abd5242415d3964f71c9b7-0320072026/original/Impact-Story-Sierra-Leone.pdf 00:00 Sierra Leone’s coastline and plastic challenge 00:38 Building a circular economy with World Bank support 00:58 Local businesses turning plastic waste into value 01:28 Hotels reduce single-use plastic 01:48 Public-private action through the Plastic Leadership Platform 02:04 Protecting the ocean while growing the economy ABOUT THE WORLD BANK 🌐 The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. http://www.worldbank.org