Estifanos, Betelhem, and Friends Business Company – NABU Ethiopia

Investing in Impact

P4G has awarded the partnership about US $105,000 in grant funding.

Plastic waste is a major global issue, harming ecosystems, human health and essential resources. Despite growing awareness, existing solutions often fall short due to high costs, limited innovation and accessibility challenges. The Estifanos, Betelhem, and Friends Business Company – NABU Ethiopia partnership is committed to reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable waste management. By integrating advanced recycling technologies and community engagement, the partnership aims to enhance plastic waste collection, processing and circular economy practices.

The Estifanos, Betelhem, and Friends Business Company produces essential recycled plastic products, including geomembranes and polyethylene tubes. Geomembranes serve as impermeable liners for landfills, reservoirs and wastewater treatment, preventing water leakage and supporting irrigation. Polyethylene tubes aid in tree seedling growth, supporting afforestation efforts, though their non-biodegradable nature requires proper recycling. Demand for both products is high, particularly among smallholder farmers in Bahir Dar and surrounding areas, making the startup a vital part in food security and sustainable agriculture.

NABU Ethiopia is dedicated to conserving biodiversity, restoring habitats and promoting sustainable resource management. NABU Ethiopia will collaborate with government institutions to strengthen plastic waste management and recycling. The partnership will coordinate waste collection, organize community clean-ups, encourage local businesses to incorporate recycled plastics, and lead workshops and awareness campaigns on recycling and waste management. The partnership will also establish a comprehensive recycling framework that benefits both the environment and the local economy.

During the partnership period, the Estifanos, Betelhem, and Friends Business Company plans to scale up operations, targeting an annual collection of 800 tons of waste to recycle 667 tons into geomembranes and 78 tons into seedling bags.

Over the next five years, the startup plans to expand plastic waste collection from 650 tons in the first year to 11,963 tons by year five. To date, they have progressed 39.2% towards this goal. It also plans to increase production of biodegradable seedling bags from 50 to 89 tons and geomembranes from 500 to 897 tons. This growth trajectory is expected to drive profitability, with projected net earnings rising from $106,888 in the first year to $213,539 by year five, ensuring long-term financial and environmental sustainability.

To date, the Estifanos, Betelhem, and Friends Business Company has significantly improved waste collection and recycling performance, collecting almost 255 tons of plastic waste from households, streets and public spaces. After manual sorting and separation, approximately 190 tons were processed into about 140 tons of geomembranes and seedling bags, which were marketed primarily to smallholder farmers for water harvesting and crop production.

A key component of this work involved community capacity building. A one-day training in Bahir Dar’s Fasilo sub-city brought together 30 community members, mostly women, to learn sustainable waste management practices, including proper waste sorting and composting. The session also introduced Ethiopia’s new Dry Waste Management and Disposal Proclamation. Through presentations and group discussions, participants reflected on their past practices and committed to adopting improved waste handling methods.  Moreover, the partnership co‑organized a workshop in Bahir Dar (Unison Hotel) to introduce Proclamation No. 1383/2025 on solid waste management and disposal, with 47 government officials and key stakeholders in attendance.

To secure a reliable supply of recyclable material, partnerships were formed with three waste collection associations in Bahir Dar. Under this arrangement, plastic waste is now delivered to the recycling facility every 15 days. To enhance operational efficiency, the recycling plant introduced a three-shift system to maintain continuous production and installed solar panels to mitigate disruptions caused by frequent power outages.

Marketing capacity was strengthened through collaborations with local distributors responsible for product delivery and market mapping. Participation in the Africa Climate Summit 2 in Addis Ababa provided opportunities for learning, networking and forming new business partnerships. These engagements helped refine recycling processes and expand market prospects for recycled plastic products.

The growing operational demand required scaling up the workforce, resulting in 85 new jobs, 50 of whom are women and 35 are men, across waste collection, sorting and recycling plant operations. This early-stage employment not only supported business growth but also enhanced economic opportunities for youth and women through gender-responsive hiring practices.

Comprehensive training was provided to 60 waste collectors and 25 recycling plant employees. Trainees learned field collection techniques, waste segregation procedures, machine operation, safety protocols and troubleshooting. Delivered over two days through both theoretical sessions and hands-on practice, the training ensured a skilled workforce capable of operating efficiently and safely throughout the recycling value chain.

Market expansion was further strengthened through participation in the 2025 P4G Vietnam Summit, where representatives gained industry insights, built relationships, and exchanged best practices with similar businesses.

The partnership comprises the following partners: Estifanos, Betelhem, and Friends Business Company (lead business partner); NABU Ethiopia (lead administrative partner).