Foday David Kamara, winner of the Young Climate Designer Award in the inaugural cycle of the Young Climate Prize, is transforming Sierra Leone’s building industry through innovation. Using plastic extrusion technology, he recycles waste into durable bricks and paving tiles—reducing dependence on imported cement bricks, cutting carbon emissions, and tackling the mounting problem of plastic pollution. This approach strengthens community resilience by ensuring access to affordable, locally produced building materials.

Through his project Ecovironment, David has already created 60 jobs, recycled 460 tonnes of plastic, and reinvested profits to feed 1,500 schoolchildren. Guided by his mentor, architect Dominic Leong, he continues to push for sustainability rooted in communities while addressing the global challenge of post-consumer waste.

The Young Climate Prize jury praised his work, stating: “This project stands out not only for the idea of recycling plastic waste in a realistic and scalable way, but also for the emphasis on systems, training, and education, and the plan to embed these broader ideas into local communities. The project can also be applied to other countries and has the potential for truly global impact.”