The Plastic Waste Recycling Unit “Fabrick”

The “Fabrick” Plastic Waste Recycling Unit project is a forward-looking containerized micro-factory in Obock, Djibouti. It aims to transform locally collected plastic waste into construction materials such as pavers and concrete blocks.¹ The project is carried out as part of the Sustainable Solutions project for the Most Vulnerable Host Populations, Refugees, and Migrants in Djibouti.^{i 2} Doing such, it supports waste reduction, sustainable livelihoods, and green infrastructure development in the underserved areas.³
The project’s vision is “to tackle plastic pollution while advancing circular economy solutions” for urban development in Obock and the wider region.⁴ This solution responds directly to the city’s growing need for construction materials for sidewalks, roads, and housing. Additionally, the initiative contributes to national efforts in promoting green innovation and environmentally responsible building practices.⁵

To meet the project’s vision and objectives, the containerized micro-factory is equipped with all the necessary machinery to carry out the full recycling and production process, including:⁶

• Shredding plastic into chips
• Agglomerating flexible plastic films and bags
• Mixing plastic with sand in precise ratios
• Extruding into a malleable paste
• Pressing into interlocking pavers using two pneumatic molds

It supports environmental protection and economic inclusion by integrating a “Cash for Work” program employing 30 vulnerable individuals in plastic collection. Participants are selected according to clear eligibility criteria and are compensated in proportion to the volume of plastic they collect, creating both a livelihood opportunity and a consistent waste collection mechanism. The small-scale yet scalable model strengthens waste infrastructure and offers income-generation opportunities.⁷

The “Fabrick” Plastic Waste Recycling Unit is part is part of the European Union Trust Funded program and is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).⁸ Designed by Plastic Odyssey, the project is carried out in collaboration with Regional Council and the Prefecture of Obock, both of which play a key role in supervision and local oversight.⁹
The Obock Technical High School contributes to local capacity building by offering technical internships that provide students with hands-on training in recycling processes and equipment maintenance.¹⁰

Additional institutional support and potential market linkage are provided by agencies such as the Djiboutian Social Development Agency (ADDS) and the Prefecture of Obock, which are also considered potential buyers of the recycled products.¹¹