A stakeholder in environment, Chanja Datti has called on the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to recycle plastic waste for sustainable wealth rather than just disposing them.
The organisation said it is committed to transforming waste to value whilst empowering youth and women at the bottom of the pyramid.
Chanja Datti, a social enterprise company collects and processes PET bottles, aluminium cans, cartons, cardboard, paper etc and transfers to off-takers, recycling companies manufacturers for use in their production process.
Addressing Journalists at the Waste to Wealth Road Walk and Street Sensitisation event held iin Abuja, the nation’s capital, the Head of Strategy & Innovation, Chanja Datti, Mr Gabriel Onyebuolise urged residents to practice sustainable waste management in their various homes and businesses.
He explained that “the event organised by Chanja Datti in collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB is to raise awareness about recycling and inspire community to transform plastics waste into sustainable wealth.”
“This year is our 10th year and what we do is to collect waste within households, within businesses and convert them to semi-raw materials like flakes, bales and pellets and what we do at the end of the day is to process them and sell them to other manufacturers who utilize them in their process to manufacture finished products in plastic and textile industries as well as the beverage industry,” Onyebuolise explained.
He stressed that the awareness campaign is part of “TRANSFORM PROJECT ” funded by Unilever, UK International Development and EY.
“What it means is instead of moving the waste from the source where they are produced to the factory for processing we’re able to process it right at the location where it’s happening and that’s what we’re trying to achieve with the “TRANSFORM PROJECT.”
“With the “TRANSFORM Project” we’re able to partner with Abuja Environmental Protection Board, AEPB and other local partners in order to carry out the effectiveness of this project within the different axis starting from LifeCamp and so today we’ve been able to have a successful awareness and outing to sensitize and create that level of awareness for people to know that it’s important to recycle waste and practice sustainable waste management,” Onyebuolise stated.
Programme & Research Analyst, Martha Eginiwin, said the Chanja Datti is helping citizens to take action and responsibility by helping individuals to make money and other valuable things from their waste.
“For us at Chanja Datti we have factories here in Abuja we also have collection hubs once we collect the waste, we are able to convert them. We have processing factories we process them into different materials. Pellets, flakes, and these materials we are able to partner with manufacturing industries where we sell it to them,” Eginiwin said.
She explained that the Chanja Datti is also partnering with manufacturing industries where these products are sold to them.
“They use them as semi-raw materials for their own processes, for every plastic bottle, for every PET bottle, for every of those things we collect, we do not just see them as waste. After you use them, after you finish drinking your water, you shouldn’t just dispose them. Most of the materials that are used to make those plastic bottles, they are recyclable,” Eginiwin stated.
She added that the Chanja Datti is also working with relevant stakeholders to collect waste products to ensure that the environment is clean.
The Director Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB, Braimah Osilama, represented by Chief Environmental, Solid Waste Management Department, AEPB, Sherifat Lawal, says recycling is more than just a buzzword but a responsibility.
“Today, we are not just walking for the sake of it, we are raising awareness about a cause that directly affects our environment, our health, and our future recycling,” he said.
Osilama emphasised that in Lifecamp, like many growing communities, face increasing waste challenges.
“Plastic bottles, cans, paper, and other recyclable materials often end up on our roads, in our drainages, and across our neighborhoods. This not only pollutes our environment but also affects our health and contributes to flooding and other urban issues,” he stated.
According to him, “our walk today is a call to action for households, schools, markets, and businesses to adopt simple recycling practices,Separate waste at source. Reuse where possible, Partner with recycling collection centers, let us remember, a cleaner Lifecamp is a safer and healthier Lifecamp.”
He added that through consistent recycling activities, Nigeria reduce pollution, create jobs, and contribute to a sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.
The Sensitisation walk which started around 8.25 am, local time, served as an exercise for some, where the Chanja Datti social enterprise Nigeria Ltd, engaged with some residents, small business owners and various Estates in Lifecamp on the importance of turning waste into sustainable wealth.
The awareness campaign is part of “TRANSFORM PROJECT” funded by Unilever, UK International Development and EY.
Mercy Chukwudiebere