Africa Innovates Magazine - Flipbook - Page 52
WASTE & RECYCLING
Photo credit: Wecyclers
REWARDING
WASTE RECYCLING
IN LAGOS
WECYCLERS was founded with an
original idea – make it possible for
households to generate income
from their waste while reducing
its accumulation and facilitating
recycling activities. It settled on a
waste collection reward system which
provides a reliable supply of raw
material to the local recycling industry.
The large amount of improperly disposed
waste is facilitating the spread of disease
among the population, while clogging
gutters and drainage canals, and leading
to floods during storms.
Three times a year, users can exchange
their points for cash (they just need to have
been registered for at least three months).
The company, which works in partnership
with the Lagos Waste Management
Authority, makes money by selling the
materials on to manufacturers. The plastic
collected eventually gets shredded and
exported to make polyester fiber for
clothing, pillow and mattress stuffing, and
trash bags.
WECYCLERS has had great success in
innovating for waste management, and
has received many prizes.
Every week, WECYCLERS deploys a
fleet of cargo bicycles to collect and
recycle this unmanaged waste in Nigeria’s
capital, Lagos. The company’s vehicles
visit homes and pick up their waste. Every
household or individual can register and
have their home added to the collection
routes. Collectors are equipped with
a connected scale and an app, so that
residents receive points based on the
weight of recyclables they collect. Every
user receives points, depending on the
quantity of waste disposed.
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Photo credit: Wecyclers
“I try to encourage
people to learn
about proper
waste management
practices. If people
live with waste, they
have issues with their
health and it affects
them financially, so
we’re providing a way
to dispose of waste
properly. We want to
improve their lives.”
Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola,
Wecyclers former CEO
SHOWCASING AFRICAN CLIMATE CHAMPIONS
