By Bisola Adeyemo
A registered non-profit social enterprise, “DoGood. Africa” in partnership with HB Imagino has been granted an award by The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) for improving the livelihood of 300 waste pickers and sorters in poor and dirty communities through economic empowerment recycling project titled “Waste to Wealth”.
The “Waste to Wealth’’ project is designed to contribute to several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and to reduce the hardship initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as promoting a greener environment.
Communications Lead at DoGood.Africa, Adewunmi Salami, explained that “DoGood.Africa, with the technical expertise provided by HB Imagino, is taking action by providing a cleaner environment, while also contributing to economic growth and most importantly tackling the adverse effects caused by indiscriminate disposal of the PET bottles.
“DoGood.Africa Foundation is proud to be involved yet again in another project that not only saves the environment but also adds economic value to members of the community, especially women in Africa.
“The project is designed to run for a year and to recover over 500 tonnes of plastic waste at source by leveraging technology to digitally track waste disposal through RFID waste bins to be installed at strategic high-volume consumption locations such as Hotels, Cafes, Quick Service Restaurants, and Schools.
“The recovered plastic waste is subsequently recycled into food packaging materials.”
With a pilot phase set to kick off within the Lekki axis of Lagos State, the project seeks to build momentum to scale this model across Africa in partnership with relevant stakeholders in the waste management value chain. The project will leverage the talent and labor of community members, especially women, thus creating jobs and financial inclusion for many.
The indiscriminate disposal of PET bottles continuously causes a menace to the environment and vastly affects the climate.
Speaking on this development, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, the Head, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability for Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, stated that “TCCF is committed to addressing the needs of the communities in Nigeria where we operate. We are proud to support DoGood.Africa in partnership with HB Imagino to create the type of change needed to improve people’s lives, build sustainable communities and enhance our environment for future generations.”
In a statement, Harold Okonoboh, Managing Director of HB Image Innovation remarked, “We are extremely elated to be a part of the Waste to Wealth project primarily because it will revolutionize the way plastic waste is recovered in Nigeria. For the first time in Nigeria, PET bottles will be recovered from the source and converted into food packaging.
“This grant from TCCF will also help us facilitate a project that will impact the community tremendously through the provision of jobs and the protection of our environment”.