Circular Economy: Stakeholders, Innovators calls for value system

Stakeholders, experts and innovators have called for the identification of a value system for circular economy to function.

The experts made the call during a Waste Value Chain Tour at Elegushi Beach, Lekki where there was exhibition from innovators for the 2022 Looplab cohort and other exhibitors.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sarah Ogbewey, the Programme Manager at Circular Economy Innovation Partnership said one company cant solve the whole problem as waste is multi faceted.

Ogbewey added that human beings produce different varieties of goods and identifying the value makes the circular economy very profitable.

"There is need to outline a value system so that there are those who can make their money from collection, those who can make their money from processing and those who can make their money from hyper processing.

"There is the chemical part of it and physical part of the recycling to be done, that is why we put this value change together where each business situate themselves in the value change. 

"Technology is an enabler for so many things and I know one aspect of technology that is becoming popular especially when the masses is being able to use technology to facilitate pickup of your waste.

"This is definitely sustainable and that is why we started with the value chain, you know how they say that if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go with people.

"Value chain means that I don't own the whole cycle, i need you, you need me but we have to meet at a middle ground to be able to enable the system to work so its definitely sustainable." She said.

Ogbewey added that Circular Economy Innovation Partnership is also creating awareness so that people will treat recyclable items differently. 

NAN reports that the Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi Kusenla 3 was represented by Chief Olalekan Bakare, the Aro Oba and a White cap Chief, Ayuba Elegushi.

Delivering the message of Elegushi of Ikate, Chief Olalekan Bakare said it an honour for Ikate kingdom and environment to be having an event of such innits territory. 

Chief Bakare said what innovators are doing is called waste management, recycling, upcycling, which is the future and the way forward.

"There are so many things we've seen today, very innovative and encouraging. We just want to assure you of our support at all times,. 

"The palace' support is with you alll and the palace also enjoins you to keep doing what you are doing, keep empowering people, keep turning your waste into wealth and let's work towards a cleaner environment.

"Let us protect our blue planet so once again i wish you the very best and you are welcome to Ikate Elegushi kingdom, thank you." he said.

One of the innovators, Felix Uchidiuno of (Garbage In Value Out) GIVO said his brand is fully circular economy based on the activities carried out by GIVO. 

"We have collection, we have processing and we have manufacturing. We  have people that help us collect. We have community where we go to where we collect plastics and process

"We sort, we shred, we send some out to various manufacturers and we also manufacture as well." he said.

Uchidiuno added that every stage has it's challenges ranging from finding the right place to get plastics to people's hostility while trying gather raw materials. 

"Some people are hostile, so its difficult sometimes getting people to bring those plastics to us. We advise that more awareness be created for easy access to the needed materials for recycling."he said.

Taiwo Adewole, the Managing Director of Waste Exchange said a lot of people are not aware of what recycling is all about and advised that awareness is created so that consumers take used bottles to the right place.

"As i talk to you now, go on the road, you will still see plastic bottles. We need a lot of support from producers to also make awareness not just only about selling your products but also make awareness that after drinking, after consuming drop at the nearest recycling centre." he said.

Doyinsola Ogunye, another innovator said a platform has been created across Lagos and Nigeria especially coastal communities to empower people on recycling.

"Rght now, we are at the Value Chain Waste Tour event. This is the first of it's kind in Lagos and basically we have different companies at every value chain and we are all coming together to say how can we can we make a circular economy out of this.

"Why would we throw waste away when its actually valuable, so today is a special day for everybody because we are seeing each other and we are talking about how we can be of great value to each other." he said.

Source: NAN