87 women earning their own income in Latin America

Las Tejedoras: Turning Plastic Waste into Opportunity

A women-led circular economy project in Tola, Nicaragua

Along Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, plastic waste accumulates on beaches, in rivers and in public spaces. At the same time, many families in Tola live on less than USD 3 a day, and women face particularly limited access to income, training and decision-making.

In El Astillero, 17 women from Las Tejedoras, meaning “The Weavers”, are already transforming discarded plastic bags into handmade bags and crafts. This project builds on their work to create lasting income opportunities for more women while strengthening local plastic collection and recycling.

Duration: 24 months, starting September 2026
Funding: EUR 300,000 from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)

What the project will deliver

A centre for women and the circular economy
A women-run gallery in Tola will combine exhibition and retail space with facilities for workshops and community events. The existing recycling facility in El Astillero will be upgraded, and the cooperative will be formally registered, enabling its members to sign contracts and sell directly to customers.

Training and income opportunities for 87 women
An additional 70 women will join the 17 existing members. Through 58 training modules covering production, business management, negotiation and entrepreneurship, the project aims to equip all 87 women to earn their own income.

Reliable plastic collection and processing
Two permanent collection routes will serve communities around Tola, supported by a truck, a route coordinator, a collection team and dedicated collection containers. Equipment will include an LDPE plastic bag washing system, an injection moulding machine with moulds, and an extruder. A solar installation with battery storage will help the workshop operate independently of the electricity grid.

Community engagement and environmental education
Over two years, 48 events in schools and communities will combine environmental education with opportunities to exchange plastic waste for meals.

By connecting women’s entrepreneurship with practical recycling infrastructure, Las Tejedoras aims to keep plastic out of the environment, create local economic opportunities and give women greater control over their livelihoods.

• Plastic pollution: Waste accumulates on beaches, in rivers and in communities.
• Limited income opportunities: Many families live on less than USD 3 a day.
• Barriers for women: Unequal access to training, income and decision-making.
• Gaps in recycling: Insufficient collection and processing infrastructure.
• Limited environmental awareness: Too few opportunities to learn about and participate in recycling.

• Turn waste into value: Transform discarded plastic into handmade bags, crafts and new products.
• Create income opportunities: Equip 87 women with practical production and business skills.
• Build women’s ownership: Establish a registered cooperative and a women-run sales and workshop centre.
• Strengthen recycling: Set up two collection routes and upgrade processing equipment with solar power.
• Involve communities: Run 48 events combining environmental education with plastic-for-meals exchanges.