In December 2025, Green Advocacy Ghana (GreenAd), as an implementing partner to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), took an important step forward in advancing circular solutions beyond Ghana’s borders.

From February 15 to March 1, 2026, our Programmes and Partnership Manager, Daniel Owiredu, and Impact Manager, Kojo Amoyaw-Osei, embarked on a two-week reconnaissance visit to São Tomé and Príncipe under the IslandPlas Programme, a regional initiative designed to tackle plastic pollution in island states.

Building a Circular Future for an Island Nation

The IslandPlas São Tomé and Príncipe project seeks to reduce plastic pollution, strengthen national waste management systems, and improve livelihoods through the establishment of a comprehensive plastic recovery and transformation system.

At the heart of this vision is the PlastiNetwork, a decentralised network of plastic collection points integrated with material recovery, recycling, and transformation processes. The goal is simple but transformative: prevent plastic leakage into marine and terrestrial environments while creating dignified and sustainable income opportunities for informal waste sector actors, particularly women and youth.

At the heart of this vision is the PlastiNetwork, a decentralised network of plastic collection points integrated with material recovery, recycling, and transformation processes. The goal is simple but transformative: prevent plastic leakage into marine and terrestrial environments while creating dignified and sustainable income opportunities for informal waste sector actors, particularly women and youth.

From Policy Rooms to the Landfill

The visit began with high-level engagements, including a strategic meeting with the Minister of Environment and the Department of Environment and Climate Action. Discussions centred on policy alignment, national priorities, and pathways to support São Tomé and Príncipe’s transition to a circular plastic economy.

But policy is only one part of the story.

At the landfill, the team met waste pickers whose daily labour forms the backbone of the informal recycling system. Conversations with them — alongside the District Council President of Água Grande — grounded the project in lived realities. Their insights reinforced the need for structured systems that protect livelihoods while improving environmental outcomes.

Walking the Ground

Field visits to Santana, Boca de Inferno, and Praia 7 revealed both the beauty and vulnerability of the island’s landscapes. Coastal areas, rich in biodiversity and tourism potential, face growing threats from plastic leakage. These site visits provided critical insight into how decentralised collection systems can be optimally located and integrated into local contexts.

Engagements continued with the Ports Authority to explore strategies for preventing marine plastic pollution at entry and exit points, as well as opportunities for strengthening port-based waste systems.

At Santa Casa (CPR), the team assessed potential infrastructure synergies, while meetings with District Council Presidents of Lobata and Lembá focused on local governance, community mobilisation, and district-level ownership of the PlastiNetwork concept.

Strengthening Diplomatic and Institutional Partnerships

A project workshop hosted at the Brazil Embassy created space for multi-stakeholder dialogue, bringing together partners to discuss implementation strategies, operational frameworks, and impact measurement pathways.

The mission extended to Príncipe, where the team met with the Secretary General and key government stakeholders within the Príncipe Autonomous Government. These discussions underscored the importance of inclusive governance and ensuring that both islands are actively integrated into the circular transition process.

More Than Meetings

Beyond the formal engagements, the visit was also about immersion, understanding the rhythm of island life, the socio-economic dynamics, and the environmental stakes. A quiet sunset over the Atlantic served as a reminder of what is at stake: a pristine ecosystem that must be protected for generations to come.

The Road Ahead

This reconnaissance mission marks a foundational step toward operationalising the PlastiNetwork in São Tomé and Príncipe. The insights gathered , from ministers to waste pickers, from ports to coastal communities , will inform the design of a system that is technically sound, socially inclusive, and economically viable.

Through the IslandPlas Programme and in partnership with IUCN, GreenAd is proud to contribute to building resilient circular economies across island states, where environmental protection and livelihood improvement go hand in hand.

The journey has begun.