People work at a glass wool factory in western Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

People work at a glass wool factory in western Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

A man works at a glass wool factory in western Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 

People work at a glass wool factory in western Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

 
What can plastics bottles be used for? An Afghan businessman Mohammad Zarif Ishaqzai is committed to turning trash into treasure.

Ishaqzai, who established a small plant in western Herat province to recycle used items, believes that providing job opportunities could contribute in stabilizing security in the country.

Collecting used items from garbage buckets and containers can not only help keep the environment clean, provide raw materials for the industry, but also contribute to poverty alleviation especially in war-torn Afghanistan.

"My prime objective was to provide job opportunities for the people living around me, hire jobless people and contribute to poverty alleviation," he said joyfully.

Established with a capital of 1.5 million U.S. dollars five years ago in the relatively peaceful Herat province, the plant recycling used items is the first of its kind that produces glass wool, which is largely used in making blankets, pillows and mattress.

In the beginning, only 20 people worked for the plant but currently about 300 workers work on three shifts.