Workshop turning recycled plastic into products
Starting costs about $39,100 in the United States and 6,930,000 NGN in Nigeria. After 12 months, this business can bring in about $2,010 net per month in the United States and 452,000 NGN in Nigeria. The starting money comes back in about 24 months, with 45 hours of work per week.
Mundyo estimates, data as of 2026-11-02.
See the numbers for my countryFree, no account, in the currency of 250 countries.
The numbers
| Country | To start | Net per month (month 12) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $39,100 | $2,010 |
| Nigeria | 6,930,000 NGN | 452,000 NGN |
| United Kingdom | £26,700 | £1,420 |
| Kenya | 1,740,000 KES | 65,400 KES |
| India | 869,000 INR | 47,700 INR |
Amounts adjusted to each country's price and income levels.
The problem
Much discarded plastic is never recycled locally, while companies and individuals look for durable products with a verifiable story.
The solution
A workshop that shreds sorted plastic and moulds or presses it into sheets, objects, furniture and corporate gifts, sometimes made from the client's own waste.
Your customers
Companies wanting to reuse their own waste, designers, architects, local authorities, décor shops and eco-minded consumers.
How you make money
Small items €5-30, sheets €40-120, furniture €150-600, custom orders priced per project.
Competition
Cheap imported virgin-plastic goods, other small recycling workshops, and makers using wood or composite materials.
Who has an edge
A hands-on maker or designer with some mechanical skill, an eye for design and the ability to tell companies where the material came from.
The risks
Expensive, noisy machines, fumes if temperature is poorly controlled, tedious sorting, uneven quality and high prices compared with virgin plastic.
The first 3 steps
- Make prototypes using shared-workshop or second-hand machines.
- Secure three regular sources of clean, sorted plastic.
- Show a sample catalogue to ten local companies.
How the numbers are calculated
Example in a high-income eurozone country, at month 12: revenue €5,600 − costs €4,200 = €1,400 net per month. Revenue: 150 small items × €15 + 25 sheets × €80 + 3 furniture × €450. Costs: machine power, workshop rent, molds, plastic collection, social contributions. For other countries, Mundyo adjusts the starting budget to the price level (World Bank) and the income to prices and customers' purchasing power, then converts at the day's exchange rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start: Recycled plastic products?
About $39,100 (United States), 6,930,000 NGN (Nigeria), £26,700 (United Kingdom), depending on the country. Mundyo calculates the amount for 250 countries.
How much can you earn per month?
After 12 months, about $2,010 (United States), 452,000 NGN (Nigeria), £1,420 (United Kingdom) net per month, after costs.
How long until I get my starting money back?
About 24 months, with 45 hours of work per week.
What are the risks?
Expensive, noisy machines, fumes if temperature is poorly controlled, tedious sorting, uneven quality and high prices compared with virgin plastic.
Where do I start?
1. Make prototypes using shared-workshop or second-hand machines. 2. Secure three regular sources of clean, sorted plastic. 3. Show a sample catalogue to ten local companies.
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- Filtered drinking-water refill kioskFiltered water kiosk
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