Tanzania, July 27 -- Tanga. When Said Issa parked his driving licence and quit working as a daladala driver, he never imagined that discarded plastic bottles would become the source of his livelihood.

Today, the former public transport driver is making a living from collecting and recycling plastic waste, a venture that has increased his income, created jobs for young people and opened his eyes to the economic opportunities hidden in waste.

Said is part of ZASMIBA, a group operating a small plastic recycling plant in Duga Ward, Tanga City. He says his journey into the business began after encouragement from a friend who is also the group's chairperson.

At the time, Said was still driving a commuter bus (daladala) and did not understand...