Micro Recying Plant (MRPs)

The 2022 floods in Nigeria affected many areas across the country, leading to the displacement of over 1.4 million people, the death of over 603 individuals, and injuries to more than 2,400 persons, according to Federal Government Data. In addition, 82,035 houses were damaged, and 332,327 hectares of land were affected. Rural communities, which are often the most affected by climate-related disasters, have been hit particularly hard. These communities tend to lack environmental awareness, infrastructure, and the willingness to take responsibility for preventing future disasters.

In the communities where we operate, plastic pollution is a significant concern since they rely on fishing and tourism. The issue's scope is significant, with millions of people suffering from the effects of plastic pollution on their livelihoods and well-being. Our solution aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste that enters the ocean by promoting responsible waste management techniques, such as recycling and proper disposal.

We have created a system that helps rural women and youths recycle plastic waste and earn cash rewards for their efforts. Our system operates through the use of 40ft solar-powered recycling hubs in 14 communities. People can exchange their waste for value at these hubs. Additionally, we have partnered with Ocean Plastics Technology South Africa to deploy networks of Micro Recycling Plants (MRPs) as close to the waste sources as possible. This allows us to sort, clean, and process waste plastic on a smaller scale. The processed plastic is then sold back into the existing supply chain. 

MRPs utilize cloud-based technologies to track and trace the recycling process. They also leverage IOT4.0 connected processing equipment and a QR code payment/reward system. This system uses encrypted cloud-based technology to ensure secure transactions. The entire process can be tracked and traced using a unique batch identifier. With this, we can provide accurate tracking and documentation throughout our recycling process.

Our solution will directly impact the lives of over 5000 rural women in underserved communities who currently lack economic opportunities and face challenges related to climate change. These women are often responsible for household and agricultural duties, and have limited access to education, training, and resources that could improve their livelihoods.

By providing a platform for the collection and recycling of plastic waste, our solution will empower these women to earn additional income and contribute to the restoration of the marine ecosystem. Through our program, these women will be able to collect and sell recycled plastics which will be processed to produce a range of sustainable products. This will help to reduce plastic pollution, increase economic opportunities, and promote environmental sustainability.

Our solution will also benefit the communities in which these women live, by reducing plastic waste and promoting a cleaner environment. By restoring the marine ecosystem, we can improve the overall health of the environment, reduce the impact of climate change, and promote biodiversity.

As a team, we are committed to engaging with the communities we serve and have been actively involving them in the development of our solution. 

To understand the needs of the communities we serve, we have conducted focused groups and interviews with local community leaders and women recyclers to gather insights into their challenges and aspirations which has helped us reach over 850 women and collecting over 1500 tons of plastic waste from landfills. We have secured a partnership to install MRPs in communities and a back-back agreement that guarantees the sales of processed PET flakes.

Our approach to designing and delivering this solution is meaningfully guided by the communities’ input, ideas, and agendas. We have taken a participatory approach to the project design, with the communities we serve being involved in every step of the process. This has allowed us to tailor the solution to their specific needs and ensure that it is sustainable and effective in achieving our shared goals.

Our solution has currently served 734 rural women in 10 communities in Northern Nigeria. Through our program, these women have been able to collect and recycle plastic waste, contributing to the restoration of the marine ecosystem and reduction of the negative impact of climate change. Additionally, they have been able to earn income and provide for their families, helping to drive economic growth in their communities.

We have secured a partnership with Ocean Plastic Technologies to deploy the first Micro Recycling Plant in one of the communities to help the women recycling at source and increase their earnings.

The program will enable us to connect with industry experts, potential investors, and other entrepreneurs in the circular economy space. We plan to leverage these connections to expand our knowledge base, develop partnerships and collaborations, and potentially secure funding for our project.

Furthermore, this will provide us with access to additional resources, including specialized training, workshops, and other support services. We plan to make the most of these resources by actively participating in all aspects of the program, seeking out feedback and advice from mentors and other program participants, and utilizing the knowledge gained to refine and improve our business strategy and operations.

85 full-time staff, 45 part-time staff

3 years

Our leadership team reflects this commitment to diversity. We have deliberately cultivated a team with diverse backgrounds, including gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. This diversity brings a range of perspectives and insights to our decision-making processes, enabling us to better address the needs of the communities we serve.

We are actively working towards increasing diversity within our team and ensuring equitable opportunities for all team members. Our goals include recruiting team members from underrepresented groups and fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.

To achieve these goals, we have taken several actions:

1. Outreach and Partnerships: We actively engage with local community organizations, women's groups, and educational institutions to reach a wider pool of candidates from diverse backgrounds. By forging partnerships with organizations that focus on diversity and inclusion, we broaden our reach and enhance our ability to attract talented individuals from marginalized communities.

2. Bias Awareness and Training: We provide ongoing training and workshops for our team members to raise awareness about unconscious biases and promote inclusive practices. This ensures that our decision-making processes are fair, transparent, and free from biases that could hinder diversity and equity.

3. Inclusive Project Design: When developing our initiatives, we involve stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including women recyclers, community leaders, and local organizations. Their input helps shape our solutions to be more inclusive and culturally sensitive, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of marginalized groups are considered.

4. Collaborative Partnerships: We actively seek partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. By collaborating with like-minded partners, we can leverage their expertise and resources to further advance our goals in this area.

Our business model is centered around creating value for the women recyclers, the communities we serve, and recycling companies, both in terms of social impact and revenue generation. We strive to address the needs of our beneficiaries while ensuring the sustainability and growth of our organization.

Key Customers and Beneficiaries:

1. Women Recyclers: Our primary customers and beneficiaries are the women recyclers in low and middle-income communities. They are seeking opportunities to earn income, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to environmental sustainability. 

2. Local Communities: Our services also benefit the broader local communities where we operate. By establishing recycling hubs and clusters, we provide convenient and accessible channels for waste collection and recycling. 

3. Recycling Companies: These are majorly in the beverage and fashion industry and utilize the PET flakes produced from the collected recyclables in the production of valuable products.

Our unique value proposition lies in our holistic approach that combines waste recycling, income generation, skills training, and community engagement. By providing comprehensive support, we create a pathway for women recyclers to improve their socio-economic status and contribute to sustainable development.

Our revenue model is multifaceted and includes several sources:

1. Sale of Recyclable Materials: We generate revenue by processing and selling PET flakes to recycling companies in the beverage and fashion industry. This ensures a steady income stream that supports the sustainability of our operations.

2. Partnerships and Grants: We seek partnerships with organizations and secure grants to fund our programs, infrastructure development, and capacity-building activities. These partnerships and grants provide additional financial resources to support our mission and expansion plans.

Our business model enables us to create both social impact and financial sustainability. By providing valuable products and services to our customers and beneficiaries, we empower women recyclers and contribute to environmental conservation, while also generating revenue to support our continued growth and mission.