Monrovia, Liberia, April 19, 2026 – The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and in partnership with the private sector, on Friday, April 17, 2026, marked a significant milestone in advancing sustainable development with the official commissioning of the Duraplast Plastic Recycling Plant and the groundbreaking of the Sethi Ferro Fabrik Steel Plant – Phase II at the Monrovia Industrial Park. The ceremony was graced by His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., alongside senior government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders .
In his remarks, President Boakai reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability, job creation, and private sector-led growth, emphasizing that Liberia must move from wastefulness to productivity by turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities. The President highlighted that initiatives such as the Duraplast facility represent practical steps toward achieving national development priorities under the ARREST Agenda, particularly in sanitation, youth empowerment, and industrialization.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo, emphasized that the project directly responds to the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. He noted that plastic pollution remains a major environmental threat in Liberia, contributing to clogged drainage systems, soil degradation, and water contamination.
Dr. Yarkpawolo stressed that under the leadership of President Boakai, the EPA, in collaboration with city corporations and stakeholders, developed the 2024 National Solid Waste Management Policy, a private sector-driven framework designed to modernize waste management and promote investment in recycling and waste-to-energy solutions.
He further highlighted that the Sethi Group of Companies is among the first to operationalize this policy through the establishment of the Duraplast recycling facility, while additional investments are already underway, including a similar plant in Bensonville which is a waste-to-energy initiative by Green Guard Eco Solution.
The EPA and the Monrovia City Corporation, with support from MRV Canada, have also established an organic waste composting facility in Fiamah to convert organic waste into compost for agricultural use.
The Duraplast Plastic Recycling Plant is expected to process up to 600 metric tons of plastic waste per month, significantly reducing urban pollution while supporting the circular economy.
The facility incorporates a closed-loop water filtration system to prevent chemical runoff into the Mesurado River and surrounding wetlands, as well as high-efficiency thermal systems to minimize air emissions. These measures demonstrate strong alignment with national environmental standards and international best practices.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the project is poised to generate substantial socio-economic impact. It is expected to create over 200 direct jobs and more than 1,000 indirect livelihood opportunities, particularly benefiting youth and women engaged in community-based waste collection enterprises.
The facility will also promote worker safety through strict occupational health and safety protocols, including mandatory use of personal protective equipment and fair labor practices.
In line with the Government’s “Buy Liberia” initiative, the plant will transform plastic waste—such as water sachets, bottles, and containers—into locally manufactured products including pipes, buckets, and chairs, thereby reducing reliance on imports and strengthening domestic industry.
The facility will recycle key plastic types including LDPE, HDPE, PET, and PP, which constitute a significant portion of Liberia’s urban waste stream.
Dr. Yarkpawolo concluded by commending the Sethi Group of Companies for their investment and leadership, noting that the project represents a turning point in Liberia’s transition from waste management to resource recovery and green industrialization.
“This is not just a plant,” he stated. “It is a symbol of a new direction for Liberia—where waste becomes wealth, where policy meets action, and where environmental protection drives economic transformation.”
Photos credit: Executive Mansion Liberia
