Zuhal Atmar

Zuhal Atmar is an Afghan entrepreneur and environmentalist. She is noted for her pioneering work as the first woman who owned and ran a recycling plant in Afghanistan. Atmar is also a researcher and an economic affairs analyst. She was among the BBC's 2021 list of 100 inspiring women.

Biography Atmar was born in Afghanistan. An account cited that she was a refugee in Pakistan, where she completed her education. In an interview, she cited single-use plastic as a contributor to the 308 tons of garbage generated in Kabul daily. This facility called Gul-Mursal Waste Paper Recycling Factory processed 33 tons of garbage per week. She was able to operate her company after securing a $100,000 loan from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).