Bolaji Obabiyi (intern)
The Women Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WCCIMA), Ogun State, on Monday trained women on how to convert waste materials into valuable business opportunities, urging participants to see recyclable materials as resources for business growth and economic sustainability.
Penpushing reports that the training, tagged “Waste to Wealth: Turning Waste into Opportunities for Business Growth and Sustainability,” was held at Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce Hall, beside the Government House, Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
The Vice Chairman of Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Industry, Jaiyeola Akinbo in her welcome address explained that the training was designed to expose participants to business opportunities that could be created from materials commonly regarded as waste, particularly plastic, bottles, nylon and other recyclable materials.
Penpushing further reports that, Akinbo encouraged the participants to participate actively, ask questions and share ideas, while equally thinking about how the knowledge acquired could be applied to their homes and businesses.
The Vice Chairman appreciated the Southwest Women Coordinator, Mrs. Cynthia Saka, for her support in facilitating the training and sourcing facilitators for the programme.
Penpushing also reports that facilitator, Mr. Chibuzo Shedrack, while speaking on “Turning Waste into Opportunities for Business Growth and Sustainability,” explained various waste streams and how they could be recycled or transformed into useful products.
The facilitator identified industrial waste, bottles, pallets, ground materials, plastic and tyre waste as some of the materials that could be processed and converted into products such as sandals and other useful items.
Penpushing reports that Shedrack equally highlighted electronic waste, aluminum, paper, fish, textile, leather, piggery, cassava peel and food waste as other areas with recycling and business opportunities.
The facilitator explained that aluminum waste recycling involves processes such as collecting, sorting and shredding, while used paper and cartons could be transformed into new paper products, adding that fish waste, including bones and other discarded parts, could also be processed into useful products.
Penpushing further reports that he pointed out that, leather offcuts could be repurposed into new products, while cassava peels could be processed for animal feed and other uses, stressing that food waste could be converted into compost and fertilizer.
The facilitator stressed the importance of proper waste-stream management, noting that it helps reduce environmental pollution, supports the economy and creates opportunities for people to generate income through recycling.
Penpushing also reports that He further educated participants on waste segregation, encouraging the use of colour-coded bins to separate different types of waste for easier collection and recycling.
The facilitator introduced participants to different reuse strategies, including upcycling, refurbishing and repurposing, which he said could help turn discarded materials into useful and marketable products.
Penpushing reports that he highlighted the role of government and relevant organisations, including the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), in policy implementation, regulation and enforcement to ensure effective waste management.
The facilitator explained that T. Cynthia Nigeria Limited contributes to waste management through the recycling of plastic waste into useful products, as well as the training and mentorship of women and youths.
Meanwhile, the training exposed participants to practical ways of viewing waste not only as an environmental challenge but also as a potential source of income, entrepreneurship and sustainable business development.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
