In response to the African nation of Mali’s escalating environmental crisis, three leading organizations— Ayuda en Acción, Indorama Ventures, and IMG Group —have joined forces to launch ‘Bamagreen,’ a transformative recycling and reforestation project in the capital city of Bamako.
This initiative is the first under the Plastic2Prosperity program, developed through the adaPETation network by IMG Group. The project will strengthen plastic circularity while generating tangible socio-economic benefits, particularly for vulnerable communities, including conflict-displaced populations, women, and young people. This partnership aims to demonstrate how recycling benefits the environment and generates socio-economic opportunities in complex settings.
Creating jobs
At the heart of the initiative is a commitment to inclusive development. Bamagreen will directly engage around 1,950 individuals—40% of them women—in stable, dignified employment opportunities through recycling and environmental awareness efforts. In addition, more than 100,000 people are expected to benefit from city-wide reforestation and waste education campaigns.
The program will bolster the recycling capabilities of local social enterprise ECOBUILD and introduce integrated environmental education to reduce the impact of unmanaged plastic waste in Bamako, where open dumping and deforestation are accelerating pollution and desertification.
Circular impact
“This agreement reflects our commitment to sustainability and to creating opportunities for the most vulnerable populations,” said Jean Christophe Gerard, regional coordinator for the Sahel at Ayuda en Acción. “We are not only addressing an environmental problem but also providing economic opportunities for those who need them most.”
“At Indorama Ventures, we believe that waste is not just a problem—it’s a powerful opportunity,” said Yash Lohia, executive president and chairman of the ESG Council at Indorama Ventures, a global sustainable chemical company. “By raising awareness and investing in circular solutions like Plastic2Prosperity, we can transform environmental challenges into engines of socio-economic growth. This project in Mali shows what’s possible when we work together to regenerate communities and our planet.”
Carlota Calonje, social impact manager at IMG Group, added: “Bamagreen embodies everything we aim to achieve with adaPETation®: transforming environmental challenges into opportunities to empower people and rebuild communities. This is only the beginning—we aim to scale this model to other regions where plastic is part of both the problem and the solution.”
also emphasized the importance of “supporting sustainable livelihoods, particularly for women and youth, while addressing urgent environmental priorities through circular economy models.”
Indorama Venture, listed in Thailand, is one of the world’s leading petrochemical producers, with a global manufacturing footprint across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. The company’s portfolio comprises combined PET, Indovinya, Indovida (packaging), and Fibers.
