Plastic Punch, a Ghanaian environmental NGO known for coastal clean‑ups and plastic waste education, partnered with Marco Bernardo, founder of Sun Factory, to demonstrate how solar energy can convert plastic waste into useful products and create jobs.
The two‑week Sun Factory Residency ran from 26 October to 7 November 2026. It combined practical demonstrations, environmental education and community engagement, beginning at the Plastic Punch office where a solar concentrator was assembled and used to melt discarded plastic.
Students at Street Academy watched a live demonstration and discussed plastic pollution, recycling and sustainable waste management. The team then moved to Ada Foah to join PROTEGO shoreline monitoring before engaging pupils at Tojeh Basic School in similar activities.
Bernardo highlighted the economic potential, noting that solar‑powered recycling eliminates the need to buy raw materials or pay for conventional energy. “In this case, you don’t pay for the material, you don’t pay for energy, and you can sell it. So, for me, it’s important that people see that recycling is more about creating jobs,” he said.
Project Coordinator Spencer Awortwi said the residency equipped Plastic Punch with a practical tool to showcase responsible plastic waste management. He added that while recycling alone is not a complete solution, transforming plastic into attractive products could shift public attitudes.
During the residency, Bernardo and Executive Director Richmond Quarcoo visited the developing Agumatsa Eco‑Lodge near Wli Falls, where recovered plastics were turned into items such as key holders. Team members received hands‑on training to retain the knowledge within the organisation.
Quarcoo praised Bernardo for knowledge sharing and capacity building, stressing that the Sun Factory Project shows communities how to create their own solutions, especially where electricity is scarce but waste is plentiful.
Meanwhile, the Agumatsa Eco‑Lodge is being built as an off‑grid community facility between the Agumatsa River and Njeraki Stream, aimed at practical skills training, environmental education and community‑led innovation.
Follow the project as Plastic Punch continues to scale solar‑powered recycling and expand its eco‑lodge initiative, potentially unlocking new green jobs across Ghana.
