From Trash to Treasure: West Bank Startup Turns Plastic Waste into Opportunity

Scrapcycle Solutions, a recycling startup in Ramallah, is transforming plastic waste into reusable pellets—launched after the October 7, 2023 attack and subsequent restrictions on West Bank movement.

The Challenge

The West Bank has experienced a 43% increase in checkpoints and barriers since late 2023, hampering garbage collection and disposal. The main garbage transfer station near Scrapcycle's facility now holds an estimated 750 tons of uncollected waste.

Co-founders Ibrahim Ghazal and Faris Abu Keshek launched their business amid these compounding difficulties. Tighter Israeli restrictions since October 2023 have prevented many Palestinian workers from entering Israel and increased internal movement controls.

A System Under Strain

The West Bank currently operates only two landfills—one in the north and one in the south. The Palestinian Authority has sought permission for a third landfill in the central West Bank; Israel says it is advancing a construction permit for one.

"Garbage trucks face long delays and occasional settler attacks at checkpoints."

Entrepreneurial Persistence

Ghazal expressed belief that restrictions on waste movement are intentional—designed to make daily life difficult. Despite this, the entrepreneurs plan to continue operations.

Abu Keshek described being inspired after visiting a large recycling facility in another country, which showed him what was possible.

Plastics constitute about 16% of West Bank waste, according to the entrepreneurs, highlighting both the scale of the problem and the potential for recycling solutions.

Expert Insight

"The project addresses a critical need due to landfill capacity constraints." — Professor Arthur Dong, Georgetown University