Kubik
Kubik
Circular Economy
Ethiopia
Kubik turns municipal solid waste into refuse-derived fuel for cement producers and processes recycled plastic commodities in Ethiopia.
The Challenge
Cities grow, waste piles up
Growing cities need better ways to manage municipal solid waste. Large volumes end up in landfills, while cement producers still rely heavily on coal and waste collectors often work without formal employment or reliable income.
In Ethiopia, the gap affects cities, industry, workers, and the climate at the same time. Waste needs a productive use, and the people working around it need safer, more stable livelihoods.
The Innovation
Waste becomes industrial fuel
Kubik operates through exclusive public-private partnership landfill concessions in Harar and Dire Dawa. It sorts and processes municipal solid waste into refuse-derived fuel, or RDF, which can replace coal in cement kilns.
The company also processes recycled plastic commodities, including PET flake. Its model links cleaner urban waste management with industrial decarbonisation and formal work around collection and processing.
What Makes It Stand Out
A coal substitute with a local supply chain
Kubik is building a local supply chain that turns municipal waste into an industrial fuel for cement producers. The model connects cleaner urban waste management with a lower-carbon industrial process.
Impact
Where the change happens
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Cleaner Cities
Kubik diverts municipal waste from landfill and turns it into useful material. Its work can support cleaner waste management in Ethiopian cities.
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Industrial Fuel
Kubik processes municipal waste into refuse-derived fuel for cement producers and recovers recycled plastic commodities, including PET flake.
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Formal Work
Waste collection and processing can provide more formal work and steadier income. Kubik’s model also supports women’s participation in its collector network.
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