Despite being the continent that possibly contributes the least to carbon emissions, Africa is paying a heavy price. In that context, local entrepreneurs are devising solutions to help mitigate and address global warming.  

Plstka is a digital solution developed by an Egyptian start-up. It allows users to exchange their solid waste and used oil with coupons entitling them to discounts on services.  

The solution has a mobile app -available for Android and iOS devices. Through the app, users can register for Plstka services. Once they accumulate waste, users have to segregate them into the three available categories, namely plastic, aluminum, and electronic waste. Then they can notify the startup and get feedback on when the Plstka teams will collect the waste. After collection, users receive coupon codes that give them discounts in restaurants, bars, etc. 

According to its CEO Ahmed Elnagar, the solution aims to collect some 1,500 tons of waste, helping more than 100,000 households monetize their waste while preserving the environment.  In 2021, the startup behind the solution raised an undisclosed volume of funding to cover the whole of Egypt.  

Adoni Conrad Quenum