After a solo career in marketing, Aya Sarsour Khateeb and her husband launched an ecological Palestinian start-up, known as Mnjm, which recycles household waste and transforms it into raw materials for factories. The idea was developed from a simple observation made, at the time, by the co-founders. For just the two of them, they produced too much solid waste. Far too much! Looking for an alternative to get rid of this household waste and plastic bottles in particular, in an environmentally friendly way, the couple struggled with the lack of options they were offered. In fact, not a single company agreed to collect it and recycle it. Conscious of this problem, they made it their mission to offer a green solution to this problem. Aya, with support from her husband, has now embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure under the label of ecology, Mnjm.

The first step was to focus on raising awareness among the general public by carrying out, in particular, activities with the children of Ramallah. At the same time, Mnjm managed to mobilise an exponential community of volunteers, composed of members who were concerned about the environment and were eager for change. In addition to their successful start-up, Aya and her husband are now pleased to bring about a change in the attitudes and perception of the Palestinians in relation to solid waste. Thus, Mnjm (which means ‘mining’ in Arabic), has gradually overcome the challenge of transforming this waste into a real asset with high monetary and environmental value.