ImpactAlpha, January 11 – Africa has an outsized waste problem. Less than 5% of the continent’s waste gets recycled, far short of the African Union’s goal of 50%. Many African countries are a dumping ground for plastic and other waste from wealthier countries, including the U.S.
Lagos-based Pakam’s platform connects households, businesses and municipalities to collectors and recyclers of plastic, cans, wood and other recyclable materials. Individuals can schedule as little as two pounds of recyclable household waste for pick-up or search for drop-off sites.
For cities, the company provides software for managing smart bins and trucks, and helps integrate informal “waste pickers,” who collect and sort recyclable material from open landfills.
Pakam has raised $635,000 in pre-seed funding, which will help the company expand beyond Lagos. The company is also considering e-waste services. Pakam did not disclose the names of its investors.
