PETCOIN

Ghana generates over a million tons of plastic waste each year and only between 2% and 5% of this waste gets properly recycled. Many places within the country lacks the infrastructure to safely dispose off plastics. The severity of the problem is indicated by the fact that Ghana ranks as one of the top 10 most populated countries in the world. Over 2.58 million metric tons of raw plastics is imported into Ghana each year and 73% ends up as waste. With only up to 5% recycled, the rest accumulates in the environment or ends up in landfills and nearly 30% ends up in the ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates plastic bottles that end up in the ocean can take up to 450 years to biodegrade. 

A total of 8 million tons of plastic waste leaks into the ocean each year. By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean if we do not take urgent, collective action.

The plastic waste that ends up in the landfills contributes to the contamination of groundwater and air pollution. In addition, undisposed plastics can amass in the drains and lead to flooding. The stagnant water from pollution-induced flooding facilitates the outbreak of water borne diseases like malaria and cholera among vulnerable people living in highly polluted areas, Ghanaians also resort to burning their undisposed plastic waste which airborne toxins.

However, plastic collection is a means of survival for poor, urban communities across Ghana. In Ghana, plastic collectors recover at least 218 tons daily or nearly 12% of the total plastics generated. But pickers, mostly women and the youth, have little visibility into the market price for what they have collected which leaves them vulnerable to the exploitation of middlemen. There are over 2,000 waste pickers in Ghana, working harder to restore sanity to the environment. The system of waste pickers operates “below the radar” without formalized standards and processes. This puts stakeholders throughout the value chain at risk and also limits the way in which larger institutions can engage. Financial inclusion is associated with a decrease in the likelihood of using burning, public dumping and indiscriminate dumping as means of solid waste disposal relative to the collection method. Thus, financial inclusion helps households to adopt a healthier or proper form of waste disposal. The outcome of the effect of financial inclusion in the waste management industry is not farfetched because, studies have revealed financial inclusion to enhance poverty alleviation, economic growth and net wealth benefits.

Our solution (PETCOIN) is a blockchain token in exchange for plastics retrieved by plastic collectors in Ghana. This provides an online platform or physical collection centers to exchange plastic waste with blockchain rewards. Individual plastic collectors will have a unique user account created for them as they trade their plastics. This also will ensure means of savings and access to loans with  tokens linked with their mobile money wallets hence easy access to withdrawals anytime and anywhere. Premium clients will have opportunity to access loans ranging between ($100-$500) payable with plastics within an agreed period of time. A premium client should be in the capacity to trade at least a ton of plastic waste per month and also meet credit-worthiness assessment by our team.

PETCOIN will be in USD ($) equivalence to the local currency (cedi) to ensure stability in value for money. These tokens when converted into monetary rewards will serve the needs of these collectors. Our system will allow anyone deliver plastic waste at certified collection centers nationwide where transactions could take place after taking the weights of their stock (plastic waste). For every kilogram of plastic will be valued per plastics type, thus HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP and others. 

The blockchain technology will ensure that tokens for plastics are securely awarded and used. The plastic waste is digitally registered at collection, allowing for transparent and traceable waste management system where everyone can see these plastics ends up. 

Our solution technology's role as an enabler to create and transfer assets means it can connect each item of plastic packaging with consumer so that it can be treated like an asset with clear monetary, social and ecological value. We have adopted and incorporated technologies such as digital watermark, RFID, NTFs, or IoT which will be used to trace products through the supply chain. A simple scan of the QR code will automatically link information to an app and generate a PETCOIN credit. By using the Petcoin app, anyone can open and fully access features like inventory tracking, on or offline transactions, multiple client accounts, secure blockchain wallets.

All plastics retrieved will be sold to recycling partners both domestic and overseas as plough back to sustain the business.

In an era of post-Covid, it has become more urgent to integrate the informal waste pickers-mostly women, ensure their safety and acknowledge their contribution to the overall environmental quality of many urban and rural areas. In Ghana, informal waste pickers, numbering over 2,000 play an important role in the solid waste management system, acting as a parallel way to formal waste collection and disposal agents. Informal recycling activities by the informal waste pickers notably, contribute positively to the economy by reducing the costs of waste management systems and providing income opportunities for large numbers of poor people. The environmental and economic contributions of informal workers to local governments, local communities and the value chains in many ways are unrecognized. The creation of linkages between the informal sector, municipal and metropolitan departments and the formal sector sector is necessary to promote effective waste management in Ghana. Our solution seeks to strategize on means to regulate the informal sector in Ghana by connecting them to better pricing value for plastic waste and other opportunities like (loans) payable with plastics. This is going to be a maiden initiative in Ghana with respect to the informal waste industry. The outcome of this will give a better recognition of the important role waste pickers play in our economy, commiserating with improved economic conditions, enhanced poverty alleviation and net wealth benefits.

Our findings over the years, show that financial inclusion increases the likelihood of households opting for the collection (healthy) method of solid waste disposal relative to burning, public dumping and indiscriminate disposal of solid waste. 

On the other hand, our solution extends to salvaging marine habitats from ocean plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is a major environmental concern due to the severe threats its poses to both terestrial and marine ecosystems. The ocean health index for Ghana showed a consistent decline from 2017 to 2019 from a score of 63 to 59. Marine plastic pollution facts show it is ridding the marine species, with over 700 on the edge of extinction. Low recycling techniques coupled with lack of education on proper solid waste disposal by the populace in Ghana contribute significantly to marine pollution.

Further, a major channel via which financial inclusion enhances the choice of healthy solid waste disposal method is through income, and for that matter better incentive packages from PETCOIN.

Our team's solution hinges on human centered design with inputs gathered over four (4) years from constant interactions with the various communities we work in basically Accra, Moree, Cape Coast, and Elmina. We believe a user's experience means more than just a product interface.It encompasses the whole experience a person will have with a brand and their overall satisfaction. Applying design thinking approach ensured that we discovered the problem, researched with users and their context through question framing, user stories and themes, personas and insight statements, involving how might we questions as well as developing design strategy statement. In our concepting and building, we generated ideas, screened to top five, bundled ideas and created our concept through scenarios and storyboards then rapid prototyping. Lastly, it was important testing with people, conducted usability test and recorded results, enhance , retest and refine design then a creating a pitch for our design. We spent a surprising amount of time not knowing the answer to the challenge at hand, yet we forge ahead. We empathize and iterate, we look for inspiration in unexpected places. Our major inspiration that solution is out there and that by keeping focused on the people we are designing for and asking the right questions, we will get there together. We believed that all problems are solvable and that people who face those problems everyday are the ones who hold the key to their answer.

Our team's mindset that set us apart are creative confidence, make it, learn from failure, empathy, embrace ambiguity, optimism and lastly iterate, iterate then iterate.

Various heads in the communities, opinion and traditional leaders and key stakeholders were engaged on the need to protect these coastal communities from plastic pollution hence incentivizing waste picking activities. Numerous sensitization and education on good waste management practices have been well participated by community members and this has promoted household waste segregation.

Our team is positioned to deliver in rolling out this PETCOIN initiative after extensive years of research and user-centric solution from our traditional line of business.

Our solution extends to four townships in 2 regions of Ghana, namely Accra in the Greater Accra Region and Central Region with Moree, Cape Coast and Elmina. We have our 200 waste pickers and aggregators as well as over 100 household collectors spread in these areas.

I am super excited that i will be opportuned to meet a powerful network of impact-minded leaders across indistries and sectors at Solve's events.

Secondly, to receive technical support.

Thirdly, gain exposure in media to build my public speaking skills.

Lastly, access relevant in-kind resources and funding in the form of grants.

Incorporating blockchain technology and fusing with savings and loans wallet in the plastic waste sector is actually going to be a game changer. This incentivized initiative hinges on financial inclusion catalyzing good waste management practices thus reducing plastic pollution. A number of countries in the world including Ghana, are trying to find best means of managing the huge amount of solid waste generated by their residents. This is because improper waste disposal of solid waste has numerous negative health and economic implications. Notwithstanding, financial inclusion is deemed as enabler of waste disposal. This initiative could replicated in other part of the country as well other neighboring countries to improve the waste management systems. The informal sector will be positively impacted which will be seen in the provision of improved value for plastics and better economic conditions across the industry. This could catalyst more women groups joining to reduce poverty levels in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa. Other companies will be forced to stay competitive in the market with respect to general plastics valuation post-collection times.

1. Good Health and Well Being [SDG 3]

Plastics are a combination of polymers and additives. Additives are chemical substances that are added to plastic to give it the properties desired for commercial or industrial use, and include materials such as plasticizers and flame retardants. Some of these substances disturb the hormone balance in animals and humans. 

2. Clean Water and Sanitation [SDG 6] -The sixth sustainability goal determines that the quality of freshwater must be improved. The pollution of inland bodies of water must be reduced and much more water needs to be purified in order to increase the amount available for safe consumption.

3. Sustainable Cities and Communities [SDG 11]-The effective collection and processing of waste, although seen as a basic and indispensable service, is missing in many cities and other residential communities. This causes many problems, especially in areas of dense population.

4.Responsible Consumption and Production [SDG 12]

Mass production and consumption of plastic, especially that of single-use packaging plastic, are major contributors to plastic pollution in the sea and on land. The pollution has a negative influence on the functioning of ecosystems and endangers animal lives as well as the food supply of large groups of people. Burning all the plastic as a form of waste-management contributes to toxic air pollution.

5. Climate Action [SDG 13]

Almost all plastic is made from fossil fuels, especially oil and shale gas. The production of plastic uses a lot of energy, and altogether, this accounts for approximately 10% of the global annual usage of fossil fuels: half for the production of plastic, the other half for fuel. That figure will rise to 20% in 2050 if we continue with the unlimited use of plastic. The reduction of CO2 emissions which would prevent an average temperature increase of two degrees is an extremely urgent environmental goal.

6.Protection of Seas and Oceans [SDG 13]

The fourteenth sustainability goal is aimed at avoiding and strongly reducing the pollution in the sea, especially from waste that originates on land. Given the rough estimate that eighty percent of marine waste comes directly from land and the fact that we are dealing with billions of kilos of waste per year, it is obviously of great importance to achieve a reduction in the amount of plastic that ends up in the sea. 

7. Repair ecosystems and retain biodiversity [SDG 15]

Ecosystems in the sea and on land are threatened by (micro)plastics and chemical additives used. Plastic can suffocate, lead to animals not being able to consume enough food, make animals easier prey for other animals, make coral reefs sick, and much more. 

8. Poverty reduction- The financial inclusion model in the waste management sector will help reduce poverty levels among women.

The impact goals can be achieved in the following ways;

1. Preventing plastics in the environment

2.Avoiding health risks 

3. Absolute reduction of plastic

4. Formalizing the waste management  industry to create more jobs and generate income

1. By 2028, Reduce half of the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions

Indicators

I) Proportion of population living below national poverty line by sex and age

ii) Proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in all its dimensions according to national definitions

2. By 2028, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds

Indicators

i) Index of coastal eutrophication and plastic debris density

3. By 2028, Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials

Indicators

i) Proportion of domestic and industrial waste water flows safely treated

ii) Proportion of bodies of water with good ambiant water quality

Inputs

Expertise , Funding, Mentors, Network of suppliers, Staff

Activities

Creating relationship with waste pickers, Credit Linkage, Training, Mentorship, Providing access to market

Output

Increase in revenue

Number of market linkages

Number of new people employed

Increase in the number of sales

Loans 

Household served

Savings

Outcome

Better quality of life

Greater financial independence

Improved health

Impact 

More skilled work force

Economic growth

Healthier population

Our solution uses blockchain technology, which serves as an enabler to create and transfer assets means it can connect each item of plastic packaging with consumer so that it can be treated like an asset with clear monetary, social and ecological value.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

A commitment to building a more equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace everyday.

Every Voice is Valued

At AnC Waste, we understand how important diversity and inclusion is to our employee, our customers and the planet. Each and every employee is committed to our diversity and inclusion mission statement.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We strive everyday to be the most diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace in our industry. A place where we act boldly as one, dynamic team to deliver essential, superior waste and recycling solutions.

One Team, Driving Change

We know living up to this mission requires more than just two words- it means each one of us must do more today than we did yesterday to create an open and transparent culture. And it means transforming our hiring, training and mentoring to ensure each voice is valued and heard. AnC works closely with senior leaders to integrate diversity and inclusion into our operations and business strategy to drive accountability, share progress and accelerate real change.

Celebrating Diversity - We strive to make AnC an inclusive workplace that celebrates different perspectives and backgrounds. In addition to recognizing a wide variety of religious and cultural holidays in our business calendar, we also take time to highlight various groups and movement each month like the Black History Month and Pride.

Diversity Recruiting- We believe diversity recruiting is an essential part of an effective inclusion strategy. That is why we have begun scouting of more diversity in every department of our business.

Eyes on the Future

While we are proud of the work we have done in our diversity and inclusion program, we know that we have a long way to go toward making AnC Waste the most inclusive business it can be.

We are looking forward to continuing to do work required to make our employees, leadership and communities we serve proud of our progress.

Our beneficiary segments includes plastic collectors, waste pickers, household consumers, corporate bodies, event houses as well as cooperative groups.

Our value proposition 

Petcoin is incentivizing the collection of plastic waste, building transparency in the supply chains of recycle and plastic producers. The use of blockchain technology ensures both transparency and traceability throught out the value chain. Petcoin has devised a system which will allow plastic waste for tokens. These tokens can be exchanged for money where as there is access to loan payable with plastics.

Value Creating and Delivery

By tracking plastic waste and making digital inventories, the business ensures that most of it is reused and recycled. This is done by setting up collection centres in Ghana where issuance of financial rewards in return for deposit of plastics is done. Petcoin will provide digital tools to increase transparency, market access and low-cost operations. All the plastics is registered digitally when deposited, allowing it to be traced through value chain. This creates transparency and traceability and allow to map out waste flows and to ensure that the plastic ends up where it has the highest value and the lowest cost to the society.

Value Capture

Petcoin will form strategic alliance with other companies that want to take action and do something that has real, measurable and traceable on the environment and the waste pickers as well.

At the moment we are looking out receiving grants to position the venture very well especially as we try to shift from our traditional line of business into a blockchain technology waste management business. These funds will be reimbursed into the business as well as revenue generated from the sale of plastics to recycling partners both home and abroad. The waste industry is capital intensive, which will require a some reserves to trade of plastics as received from waste pickers. 

Funds will be equitably used and accounted for as we have established a robust system to check how funds are used and balance our financial books.

In the long run, it is expected to have wide revenue streams to balance off our expenses accrued.

My team has been able to manage the funds we contributed into starting this venture. In times of challenges, we mostly acquire the plastics from the collectors and resell at margin to recycling partners then payback. The business itself is self sustaining when you take prudent steps to eschew misappropriation of funds. 

An instituted accounting system and application of accounting softwares for business transactions helps to reduce misappropriation of funds amidst the monthly auditing.