Congolese artist and entrepreneur Pauline Wamenya Malkia offers a creative and sustainable solution to combat plastic pollution. By transforming plastic bottles into beautiful sofas and other decorative objects, she combines art with ecology.

“ It all started in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when I was closely observing the degradation of the environment in Haut-Katanga, I decided to take action, ” she confides. 

 Creating a sofa from bottles requires a meticulous five-step process, she explains: “collecting the bottles, studying the strength, cutting, assembling and dressing.”

 Pauline Wamenya Malkia works alone for the moment, but she dreams of expanding her team to speed up production. Despite her determination, she faces several challenges. Collecting bottles from trash cans, which are often unsanitary, exposes people to health risks. Transporting materials is also problematic, with many transporters refusing to transport this particular waste. In addition, the lack of funding limits the acquisition of suitable equipment. 

The sofas created by Pauline Wamenya Malkia are unique and in high demand, with prices ranging from $120 to $180. Beyond the aesthetic aspect, this project contributes to environmental sanitation and the fight against plastic pollution. 

Pauline Wamenya Malkia founded Malki'art recycling SARLU with the aim of training others in this technique and creating a company of international scope. In this way, she hopes to contribute to the fight against unemployment and the preservation of the environment in Africa. To carry out her projects, she needs support and funding.

She also wants to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and encourage the adoption of eco-friendly products.