By Faridat Salifu
In the bustling settlement along Airport Road in Abuja, a quiet revolution is taking place. It’s a movement driven by individuals who seek economic stability and a cleaner, greener environment. Among them is a resilient woman who has taken on the formidable task of raising twenty grandchildren after the tragic loss of three of her own children. Faced with this immense responsibility, she turned to an unconventional source of income: recyclable plastics.
Together with her children, they embark on a daily quest to collect PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, painstakingly sorting them, and stacking them in makeshift stockpiles. On collection days, their efforts fill the recycling trucks to the brim, a tangible sign of their unwavering dedication.
But this widow’s journey is not an isolated one. It mirrors a growing trend in Abuja, where an increasing number of individuals and households are embracing recycling as a means of financial sustenance. Economic hardships, highlighted by soaring inflation rates that reached a startling 20.52% in August 2022, have pushed many to explore recycling as an alternative source of income.
However, the issue at the heart of this transformation is the overwhelming problem of plastic waste. This is not just an Abuja problem; it’s a global crisis. On a global scale, a mere 9% of waste is recycled, while the rest accumulates in landfills, pollutes oceans, clogs drainage systems, contributes to floods, spreads diseases, and releases harmful airborne pollutants when plastic waste is burned.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing this issue, social enterprises in Abuja, such as Chanja Datti, have launched innovative initiatives like “Cash for Trash.” This groundbreaking program aims to simplify waste disposal by establishing recycling hubs within easy reach of households. What’s more, in collaboration with Jaiz Bank, participants can open bank accounts with just 1kg of waste, which serves as a financial incentive for more people to engage in recycling efforts.
Olufunto Boroffice, the visionary founder of Chanja Datti, underscores the profound impact of the initiative, which has reached over 1500 people in the city. They have set up 11 collection hubs across Abuja and have recycled over 1,000 tons of waste since its inception in 2019. Beyond waste collection, the initiative is committed to educating communities on proper waste sorting while offering tangible financial rewards to participants.
This journey also involves stories of individuals paying it forward. For instance, the widow introduced her friend’s daughter to the world of plastic recycling. With four years of experience, she acknowledges the benefits but emphasizes the need for consistent sack provision, more frequent collections (ideally every 3-4 times a month), and an increase in the N2,000 transaction limit for the associated bank account.
The stories of these individuals serve as a testament to the potential of recycling to transform lives and communities. Initiatives like “Cash for Trash” offer both a cleaner environment and economic empowerment in the face of adversity. As these individuals continue to overcome challenges and champion sustainability, their stories inspire us all to embrace change and work towards a greener, more prosperous future for Abuja and beyond.
Recycling initiatives like the “Cash for Trash” program and other waste management efforts in Nigeria offer several significant advantages to the country. These benefits encompass a range of environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
Effective recycling plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of plastic and other waste materials ending up in landfills, thereby curbing land and water pollution. Additionally, it conserves valuable resources like energy, water, and raw materials.
Recycling initiatives open up employment opportunities for waste pickers, sorters, and workers within the recycling industry. This not only helps combat unemployment but also improves livelihoods.
The sale of recyclable materials generates revenue for individuals and communities, contributing to economic growth and sustainability.
By reducing waste and litter in public spaces and water bodies, recycling leads to cleaner and healthier surroundings, subsequently lowering the risk of diseases. It also diminishes the harmful practice of burning plastics, which emits toxic pollutants into the air.
Recycling aligns with sustainable development goals by promoting resource efficiency and responsible consumption and production. This, in turn, contributes to a more sustainable future by preserving natural resources.
Recycling initiatives empower marginalized communities, especially women and low-income populations, by providing income-generating opportunities. They also promote social inclusion by offering previously marginalized individuals access to financial services and economic opportunities.
Recycling helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to the production of new materials, making a valuable contribution to climate change mitigation. Additionally, it aids in reducing plastic pollution in oceans and ecosystems, thereby safeguarding marine life and biodiversity.
Recycling programs play a pivotal role in raising awareness about the significance of waste reduction and sustainable practices. By fostering a culture of environmental responsibility, these initiatives encourage individuals and communities to play an active role in preserving the environment for future generations.
Creating Job Opportunity through plastic
In a timely webinar titled ‘Waste-to-Wealth: The Plastics Value Chain,’ the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) expressed confidence in the potential of Nigeria’s annual 2.5 million metric tonnes of plastic waste to become a catalyst for job creation and economic prosperity when managed sustainably.
Mrs. Ozofu Ogiemudia, Chair of the Technical Sub-Committee for the upcoming 29th Nigerian Economic Summit (#NES29), underscored the versatility and affordability of plastics, citing their myriad applications, from food packaging to disposable bottles and personal care products. Nigeria, a significant consumer of plastics in Africa, had imported around 20 million tonnes of primary plastics and plastic products between 1996 and 2017, a number expected to double to 40 million tonnes by 2030.
However, the surge in plastic usage in Nigeria has raised concerns about its environmental and health impacts. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the production, use, and improper disposal of plastics contribute to ecosystem pollution, health risks, and climate instability. An alarming 11 million metric tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans annually, causing harm to marine life and aquatic habitats.
Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, lamented the environmental consequences of plastic waste accumulation, particularly in the electronics, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors. He emphasized the need for innovative recycling solutions, as improper disposal leads to drainage blockages, floods, water contamination, and threats to wildlife.
Salako identified recycling as a crucial remedy for plastic waste management. However, he pointed out significant gaps in plastic waste control, including a lack of cost information associated with government collection, sorting, emissions, and setting up collection points. These challenges, he argued, hinder Nigeria from fully capitalizing on the potential of the plastics value chain.
The 29th Nigerian Economic Summit, themed ‘Pathways for Sustainable Economic Transformation and Inclusion,’ is scheduled to take place on October 23rd and 24th, 2023, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. This year’s summit aims to explore strategies for translating economic growth into enhanced and sustainable living standards for all Nigerians, with a focus on innovative policies, robust institutions, strategic infrastructure investments, and human capital development