Consumer goods company Unilever in collaboration with DOB Equity and Global Innovation Fund (GIF) has made an investment in Kenyabased plastics recycling business Mr. Green Africa, a Nairobi based recycler and recycled plastics supplier. The funds will allow the company to expand and “build on the aggregation model which enables it to scale the trade of recyclables while building a strong and reliable supplier network” according to a report in Food Business Africa. The investment will also enable Mr. Green Africa to increase processing capacity and produce higher value recycled products in larger volumes to supply consumer goods companies, the report stated. Justin Apsey, Unilever East Africa CEO was quoted as saying, “Our strategic partnership with Mr. Green Africa has opened new frontiers in confronting the plastic challenge in a more collaborative and sustainable way.

We shall continue to leverage on our purpose to drive even greater environmental and social impact in our quest to lead in creating a brighter future for all East Africans.” Mr. Green Africa recycles and sells carefully sourced materials with a traceable social and environmental impact and currently engages over 2,000 previously marginalised waste collectors also selling over 2,000 metric tons fairly sourced recycled materials for local and international markets. The company said the investment will enable the expansion of its plastic recycling operations in Kenya, where only 10 percent of plastic scrap is currently being recycled. They were very pleased and looking forward to working with DOB Equity and Global Innovation Fund on the expansion of Mr. Green Africa, Keiran Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Mr. Green Africa was quoted as saying. “We believe we are in the right place, at the right time, to create a blueprint for emerging markets to provide a circular solution to the plastic challenge and need partners like DOB Equity and Global Innovation Fund that see this opportunity.”