Recycling firm showcases innovations, capacity building

The Plastic Recycling Foundation recently showcased recycling innovations as part of activities commemorating its second anniversary.

Based in Port Harcourt, the recycling firm highlighted a journey that redefined waste and positively impacted local communities’ lives and livelihoods.

According to Ihuoma Njemanze, the project coordinator from UNITAR, the TURN Plastic Recycling Foundation emerged from a CSR collaboration between the United Nations (UNITAR), TotalEnergies E&P Nig. (TEPNG), and NNPC. “TURN” stands for turning waste into value and empowering the local ecosystem.

This year’s anniversary was themed “Art, Culture, and The Environment,” aiming to showcase the journey, impact, and vision for TURN Plastic Recycling.

While presenting recycling innovations, Mrs. Uloma Airhienbuwa shed light on creatives embracing environmental sustainability as their medium, challenging perceptions, and inspiring a new wave of environmental awareness through art.

She showcased upcycling innovations, such as plastic flip flops turned into unique and amazing artworks by the artist and environmentalist Mr. Eugene Komboye, as well as another artist, Mrs. Miracle. Both have woven a vibrant tapestry of art, culture, creating environmental consciousness.

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The program featured poets passionate about sensitizing the public on waste management, who presented creative and passionate poems about plastic waste management. Additionally, a professor showcased his project called “Bin to Bank,” where he created various musical instruments using waste.

TURN Plastic Foundation presented some of its products made from 100% recycled plastic waste. Mrs. Njemanze added that the TURN Plastic Recycling Foundation recently launched the Train up a Child (TUC) Program, aiming to bring about behavioral change, skills acquisition, promote waste management, and increase the pace of adaptation to the UN SDGs and nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

She concluded her note by urging Nigerians to join hands with TURN Plastic in achieving the vision of zero waste on the streets while empowering local communities.

Furthermore, Leo Nwofa, the project manager, summarized the project journey and roadmap, mentioning that the project has employed over 50 people (60% women).

He stated that the plant has grown by 50% between 2022 and 2023 and has saved, in Q3 2023, a CO2 equivalent of planting 300 trees. Mr. Nwofa encouraged Nigerians to follow the hierarchy of waste management: refusing if not needed, reducing if necessary, and properly disposing for recycling after use.

The event was hosted in collaboration with Alliance Française and attended by people from various walks of life, including governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private sector organizations like Total Energies.