Dono Pure Water Distribution
Finding solutions at the intersection of clean water access and the plastic waste crisis
Well over 50% of households in Ghana use plastic sachets as their main water source with the percentage closer to 90% in urban areas. Although there are some recycling programs, most of this single use plastic ends up being incinerated, contributing to very poor air quality.
Solutions
Since 2015, we have been working with one of the biggest water sachet distributors in the Sampa area to set goals of moving away from plastic packaging to more bulk/refill options. The transition is complex as there’s very little infrastructure for bulk water distribution, particularly in urban areas. Through multi-tiered education on the dangers of plastic pollution and incineration, which is the most common approach to disposal, with next to no waste management in the region, we are hopeful that we can help start a movement away from single use plastic packaging.
Knowing that plastic is not going away quickly, we are also working with local recycling projects that remove used sachets from the environment and turn them into reusable bags, chairs, and bulding bricks.
