By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, have been encouraged to take advantage of plastics waste recycling to build sustainable wealth.
The call was made during a Waste to Wealth Road Walk and Street Sensitization event in Abuja on Saturday.
It was organised by Chanja Datti Limited, an organisation engaged in waste recycling in collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB.
Speaking during the event that took participants round Lifecamp in the FCT, Head of Strategy & Innovation, Chanja Datti, Mr Gabriel Onyebuolise urged residents to practice sustainable waste management in thier various homes and businesses.
He explained that the event 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,” he explained.
Program & Research Analyst Martha Egoniwin, says 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,” she 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. 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.”
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 Engr Braimah Osilama, represented by Chief Environmental, Solid Waste Management Department, AEPB,
Engr 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.
He 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.”
The awareness campaign is part of TRANSFORM Project funded by Unilever, UK International Development and EY.
