In the slum of Kasumbalesa, located on the border of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Gladys grew up, plastic waste has taken over. With no facilities to manage the trash, over 3,500 tons of plastic waste have been piling up every year. Narrow alleyways are clogged with discarded plastic bags, bottles, and wrappers, making it hard for people to even walk around. Polluted waterways have become a source of disease, turning something as simple as drinking water into a dangerous gamble.

"Sometimes, I couldn’t go to school because I had to help my family or walk long distances to find clean water. On rainy days, blocked drains would overflow, flooding our homes and streets."

Gladys often encountered many women on her long walks. Among them were not just those searching for clean water, but also women walking 30 km daily from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Zambia to sell plastic. Since tasks like getting clean water, taking care of their families, and managing their homes were mostly left to women, their lives were made even harder by the growing waste problem. Despite their efforts, these women, who relied on collecting and selling plastic as their only means of survival, barely earned even a dollar a day.

"I wanted to make our community cleaner and help the women collecting plastic waste lead better lives. That’s how I started Plastic For Change , to support both local women and our village."

Plastic For Change operates waste management programs in collaboration with local governments to reduce plastic pollution in the community. They also educate residents about proper waste sorting and recycling practices. When residents bring in collected plastic, it is exchanged for cash or points. The collected plastic is then recycled and transformed into materials for new products.

Through plastic collection and recycling education, the program not only supports the residents but also protects the local environment. Recycling helps safeguard the planet while positively impacting the lives of the local people.

Plastic For Change also empowers women by running a "Plastic Bank." Women bring the plastic they’ve collected and sell it directly to the bank at higher prices. The income they earn helps ease the financial burden on their families and even provides benefits like health insurance. As a result, female waste collectors have been able to escape poverty and work in safer and healthier environments.

Thanks to this initiative, 80 previously marginalized women now have stable job opportunities. Over time, the effort has grown to include a team of more than 2,759 waste collectors, who are now registered, trained, and actively contributing in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Plastic For Change continues to create more jobs for women, helping them lead better lives and take on meaningful roles in their communities.

"Every time I see the women waste collectors regain their smiles, it fills me with a deep sense of fulfillment. My dream is to tackle the problem of plastic pollution, reduce poverty, and help more people in our community live happily. I will continue working hard to make this dream a reality."

Gladys is committed to standing with women in the fight against plastic waste. Join Gladys and Plastic For Change on their inspiring journey to bring more smiles to the underserved regions of Zambia!