Island Plastics got a renowned dealer; Who is Mr Riziki Ali?

In a quiet coastal neighbourhood of Chanjani, Pemba, amid scattered plastic waste and swaying coconut palms, stands a modest workshop that hums with humility, ambition and resilience. This is where Mr. Rizik Ali, a 56-year-old seasoned recycler born and raised in Pemba, runs one of the few plastic shredding enterprises on the island. He learned the craft of plastic recycling from Chinese and Indian recyclers, who continue to be among his primary export clients today. What began in 2015 as a small venture in Unguja has now grown into a functional micro-enterprise that not only tackles plastic pollution but also creates jobs and livelihoods. After relocating to Pemba in 2022, Mr. Rizik has steadily built his operations using local knowledge, entrepreneurial grit, and a pre-owned shredding machine powered by a 60-horsepower motor.

Each day Mr. Rizik and his team collect up to one ton of plastic waste from across Pemba’s regions. Once sorted and cleaned, the plastic is shredded and stored in bags categorized by different plastic types, such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) etc, ready for sale to buyers in Tanzania mainland and foreign markets, such as China. 

IUCN Tanzania/IslandPlas Project

Seen at the background are labelled sacks of shredded plastics packed at his site ready for selling.

Despite relying on improvised tools to compress plastic (from stepping and sticks to wooden tampers), his team shreds up to three tons of plastic per day to respond to an insatiable demand. This underscores the economic potential of plastic recycling in Zanzibar.

His business currently employs eight full-time youth workers aged between 23 and 35, and contracts twenty women sorters. The maximum monthly salary among the youth employees reaches 81 USD; equivalent to about 3 USD per day . Women sorters are paid 12 USD per ton of plastic cleaned and sorted, a meaningful income source for many families without existing income streams. The operation has become an anchor in the community for both environmental and economic impact.

This year’s World Environment Day, the IslandPlas project teamed up in Pemba with Bahari Mali project.  To commemorate the day by engaging with the locals and inspiring change for plastic-free islands. This is how Mr. Riziki’s facility ended up as an innovation-demonstration site, offering participants including youth, government representatives, and informal waste pickers a first-hand view of how discarded plastic can be transformed into economic value.

Impressed by his dedication, the Chake Chake Municipality, represented by Mr. Abubakar Bakar, pledged to provide Mr. Riziki with space at the new government-constructed dumpsite. This will eliminate his current rental cost of 38 USD per month and facilitate better working conditions and collection efficiency.

In addition, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries in Pemba encouraged him to apply for upcoming government entrepreneurship funds. Officials from the Zanzibar Environment Management Authority, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, and other stakeholders collectively endorsed his initiative as a high-potential local solution to plastic pollution.

IUCN Tanzania/IslandPlas Project

Mr. Riziki demonstrating his procedures to the visitors at his site in Chanjani, Pemba. 

Riziki’s work is a powerful example of how local innovation, when supported, can deliver real impact; environmentally, socially, and economically. His story shows us that circular economy solutions are not just policy goals; they are already being lived by entrepreneurs in our communities.

Shaping a circular future—one shred at a time

Despite its growing success, Mr. Rizik continues to face challenges, including the absence of key machines such as a conveyor, washer, dryer, and compressor. Maintaining the blades of his shredding machine is difficult, with spare parts not easily available in Tanzania. Yet, his determination remains intact.

I believe discarded plastic is not just pollution; it is potential,” says Mr. Riziki. “If supported, this business can grow to offer more jobs and clean up the island at the same time.”

Driving IUCN's vision in circular economy

Mr. Riziki’s story embodies the mission of the IslandPlas Project, an initiative implemented across African Islands to promote and catalyse a transition to a circular plastics economy. The initiative is supported by The Coca Cola Foundation. Among its actions, the initiative aims to enhance plastic material recovery and its circular and innovative transformation, support improvements in local livelihoods engaged in the sector, and spur circular innovation and community-driven solutions. 

White Rhino Films, Kenya

Through his business, Mr. Rizik not only diverts plastic away waste from the ocean but also contributes to the economic empowerment of women and youth in his community. With the right support, tools, infrastructure, and policy linkages; this initiative can be scaled further. 

As part of IslandPlas’ commitment to building a circular economy in Zanzibar, IUCN continues to work with local actors like Mr. Rizik to ensure that plastic material always finds value beyond its initially intended use through innovative transformation.