OmniBSIC Bank, in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR) and Ocean Tribe Foundation, has launched the Plastic Waste Innovation Project. This student-led initiative aims to cut plastic waste on five participating Senior High School (SHS) campuses by 70% this year. The project will convert plastic waste into valuable resources while teaching students to be environmental innovators.
This initiative directly addresses a critical environmental problem in Ghana. Plastic accounts for about 60% of waste generated at Ghanaian schools, largely from discarded water sachets and plastic bottles. The project will engage students to recover, reuse, and recycle plastic, reducing pollution and promoting a circular economy.
This project fits into Ghana's wider efforts to manage waste and promote sustainable practices. It aligns with Ghana’s Sustainable Banking Principle Six. This principle encourages banks to consider environmental and social aspects in their operations. The project also supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Four and Seventeen. SDG Four focuses on Quality Education. SDG Seventeen emphasizes Partnerships for the Goals. These goals highlight the importance of collaboration and education for sustainable development.
Mr. George Tetteh Ocansey, a Divisional Head at OmniBSIC Bank, highlighted the severity of plastic waste. He stated that solving this problem requires collective action, education, and active youth involvement. Dr. Boniface Yeboah Antwi, a Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-IIR, provided compelling data. He noted that eight million tonnes of plastic waste enter global oceans yearly. He also stated that one plastic bottle takes over 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill. The five schools in the project generate over 44,000 pieces of plastic waste daily. This volume is comparable to the seating capacity of the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Plastic Waste Innovation Project has several key implications. Metal recovery cages will be installed in all participating schools for plastic collection. Sustainability Clubs, supervised by tutors, will manage these efforts. Recovered plastics will be sold to recycling company SeSa through a buy-back arrangement. This creates economic value from waste. In October 2026, students will showcase innovations from reused plastic during a Plastics Challenge competition. Winners will be honored at a Special Awards Day in November 2026. This long-term project aims to create a cleaner environment and advance Ghana's circular economy agenda. Decision-makers and markets will watch for the project’s success in reducing waste and fostering new innovations. The project hopes to attract more partnerships to promote responsible plastic disposal and environmental sustainability. Project Lead for Ocean Tribe Foundation, Mr. Bright Selorme, expressed optimism about future collaborations. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to empower a generation capable of developing sustainable solutions. The participating schools include St. John’s Grammar Senior High School, Odorgonno Senior High School, Accra High School, Mfantsipim Reilly Senior High School, and Armed Forces Senior High Technical School.