Charles Matewere’s Post

#WastetoWisdom All HDPE plastic collected from various collection depots is first washed, graded at the washing site, and then transported to our factory. There, it's inspected before being shredded. Our shredder, although based on open-source technology from Precious Plastic, was designed and manufactured locally in Blantyre, 🇲🇼. This local production has numerous benefits, including: - Easy maintenance: With local production, maintenance and repairs are more accessible and efficient. - Empowering local manufacturers: By supporting local production, we're contributing to the growth and development of Malawi's manufacturing sector. - Job creation: Local production creates employment opportunities for Malawians. - Reduced reliance on imports: By producing locally, we're reducing our reliance on imported goods and supporting Malawi's economy. Recycling plastic is crucial in Malawi, as burning plastic waste releases toxic chemicals into the air and water, harming both human health and the environment. By recycling plastic, we're reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and mitigating the negative impacts of plastic waste. #RecyclingMatters #Sustainability #LocalProduction #Malawi #PlasticRecycling #WasteManagement #EnvironmentalConservation"

SDG 12 Did you know that Nigeria produces 2.5 million tons of plastic annually, with less than 10% recycled?. This alarming figure highlights the urgent need for SDG 12, which focuses on reducing waste, promoting sustainable practices, and encouraging mindful resource usage. By making simple changes like embracing reusable items, we can contribute to a cleaner, greener and better Nigeria. What sustainable habit will you adopt this week? Share in the comments, and let’s inspire change together. Don't miss out on our first session of the year happening on the 18th of January!. #LMUN25#17daycampaign#SDG12 #SustainableLiving #ResponsibleConsumption #EcoFriendly #WasteReduction

Recycling in South Africa and Across Africa: Some interesting Statistics🌍♻️ Recycling isn’t just about managing waste—it’s about creating opportunities, conserving resources, and building a sustainable future for everyone. South Africa, and the broader African continent, are making strides, but there’s still so much potential to unlock. Here’s a closer look at what's going on in South Africa: Plastic Power: Over 63% of PET plastic bottles are recycled each year, beating the global average. That’s a win for the environment and a testament to innovation. Paper Success: Recycling more than 1.1 million tons of paper annually saves over 3.2 million cubic meters of landfill space—imagine the impact if we scaled this further! Job Creation: Recycling is a lifeline for around 100,000 informal waste pickers, turning waste into livelihoods. E-Waste Potential: While South Africa generates 6.2 kg of e-waste per person annually, only about 7-12% is recycled. Imagine the possibilities if we tapped into the rest! Landfill Pressure: With 90% of waste still going to landfills, recycling offers a solution to reduce overflow and environmental stress. Across the Continent: Rwanda: Leading the charge with a ban on single-use plastics, making it one of the cleanest nations in Africa. Kenya: Their plastic bag ban has transformed waste management, especially in cities. Nigeria: Informal recyclers recover 10-15% of the country’s 2.5 million tons of annual plastic waste, showing how waste can fuel livelihoods. Organic Waste Potential: Composting and waste-to-energy projects are gaining traction, showing promise for tackling Africa’s significant organic waste challenge. Why This Matters: Recycling in Africa isn’t just an environmental effort—it’s an economic opportunity, a chance to create jobs, and a way to innovate. For instance, recycling PET plastic in South Africa has saved enough energy to power 70,000 homes for a year. By addressing gaps like e-waste recycling and organic waste management, we can turn challenges into opportunities. The future is full of potential, and every small effort counts. Let’s be part of the solution. How is your business or community driving recycling forward? Share your story—we’d love to hear it! #Recycling #Sustainability #AfricaLeads #WasteToWealth #EcoInnovation #Enviroserv🌿

The Fight Against Plastic Pollution in Nigeria is finally taking center stage, and the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management is a big step forward! These new guidelines highlight the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and push for real solutions like banning single-use plastics, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and improving recycling infrastructure. But the real question is: Can we turn policy into action? Here’s where we see the opportunity: ✅ Biodegradable Solutions: Policies calling for alternatives align perfectly with our mission at Biodegradable Future. We offer regenerative additives that ensure plastics break down into fertile biomass, water, and CO₂, even in unmanaged environments like landfills. ✅ Circular Economy Support: Beyond recycling, our solutions ensure that hard-to-recycle and contaminated plastics have a sustainable end-of-life. ✅ Education & Collaboration: Implementation depends on buy-in from everyone—government, businesses, and individuals. Public awareness is as critical as infrastructure upgrades. This is a bold step for Nigeria, but enforcement, collaboration, and innovation will determine its success. At Biodegradable Future, we’re ready to contribute to a cleaner, circular Nigeria. 💬 What are your thoughts? Are these policies enough to tackle Nigeria’s plastic crisis, or do we need to go further? Let’s talk solutions! #RegenerativePlastics #CircularEconomy #EndPlasticPollution #SustainableNigeria #PlaferaChallenge #ReduceReuseRecycle

It starts with YOU🫵🏽🫵🏽🫵🏽🫵🏽 Do you know that making small changes at home can have a big impact on our environment? 🌍 Sustainable living starts right where YOU are………… YOUR households! With Nigeria's growing waste challenges, it's time YOU all do YOUR part to reduce, reuse, and recycle.♻️ Here are 5 simple sustainable practices YOU can start implementing today: 1. Say No to Single-Use Plastics: Opt for reusable bags, bottles, and containers. A little change can go a long way in reducing plastic waste! ♻️ 2. Sort YOUR Waste: Separate YOUR waste into recyclables, compostables, and general waste. This makes recycling easier and more efficient. 🗑️ 3. Compost Organic Waste: Turn food scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost for YOUR plants. This reduces landfill waste and enriches YOUR soil. 🌱 4. Use Eco-Friendly Products: Choose biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products that are better for the environment and YOUR health. 🌿 5. Save Energy and Water: Switch off lights when not in use, unplug devices, and fix leaking taps. Conserving resources helps reduce YOUR carbon footprint. 💧 Each small step contributes to a bigger change! Let's commit to making sustainable choices that will secure a healthier, greener future for Nigeria. 💚 👉 Which of these practices will YOU start with🤔? Share YOUR thoughts and experiences in the comments below👇 #SDG12 #SustainableNigeria #EcoFriendlyLiving #ReduceReuseRecycle #GreenLiving #ClimateAction #Nigeria

It’s both frustrating and amusing to see how people in Malawi are struggling just to buy fuel. It can take hours, even days, to fill up a car, yet the government doesn’t seem genuinely concerned about addressing the issue. I once presented my innovation—reverse engineering waste polymers (plastic waste) into diesel and petrol using pyrolysis technology—as a potential solution. Unfortunately, the officials didn’t take it seriously. Perhaps they see it as a game-changer and fear losing their grip on power, or maybe it’s just jealousy or resistance to someone else succeeding. On the other hand, it’s ironic how organizations and companies claim they want to support my work on transforming plastic waste into sustainable building materials. They criticize my approach, saying "your pyrolysis technology emits carbon," while at the same time funding projects like charcoal stoves! It’s laughable, really. Moments like these remind me that "kuno mku Malawi," nobody is coming to save us. If we want real change, we must take charge and save ourselves.

Unlocking Nigeria's Net Zero Potential: A Circular Plastics Cluster Opportunity The Problem: Nigeria generates approximately 2.5 million tons of plastic waste annually. Only 10% of plastic waste is recycled, with the remaining 90% contributing to environmental pollution and health issues The Opportunity: By establishing a circular plastics cluster, Nigeria can: 1) Reduce plastic waste by 70% (conservative estimate based on global best practices) 2) Generate additional revenue annually through the production of high-value recycled materials 3) Create new jobs in the recycling and manufacturing sectors 4) Save money in waste management costs annually The Science: A circular plastics cluster would utilize cutting-edge technologies like mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and biodegradation to convert plastic waste into valuable products like rPET, rHDPE, and bioplastics These recycled materials can replace virgin plastics in various industries, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% Government Revenue Perspective: The Nigerian government can incentivize the establishment of a circular plastics cluster through tax breaks, subsidies, and low-interest loans The additional revenue generated can be allocated towards sustainable development projects, supporting Nigeria's transition to a low-carbon economy Let's work together to make Nigeria a leader in circular economy innovation and achieve our net zero targets. Share your thoughts and ideas on how we can make this vision a reality! #NetZero #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #PlasticWaste #ClimateAction #Nigeria #Innovation #RevenueGrowth #LowCarbonEconomy

Waste to Wealth - Unlocking Economic Potential Through Recycling In Nigeria, waste is often seen as a problem, but what if we told you it’s actually an opportunity? From plastic bottles to organic waste, every piece of trash can be transformed into something valuable—creating jobs, reducing pollution, and even boosting local economies. Here’s how: ♻️ Plastic Recycling: Nigeria produces millions of tons of plastic waste every year. By turning this waste into recycled plastic products, entrepreneurs can create everything from reusable shopping bags to construction materials, reducing reliance on virgin plastic. 👍 Organic Waste Composting: Food scraps and agricultural waste can be turned into organic compost, a natural fertilizer that enriches the soil for farming. This not only helps small-scale farmers increase their crop yields but also reduces the environmental impact of chemical fertilizers. ‼️ Upcycling: Many Nigerians are finding creative ways to turn discarded items like old tires, glass bottles, and metal scraps into furniture, artwork, and household items. These products are in high demand in local markets, creating an entirely new stream of income for individuals and businesses. ✅ Employment Opportunities: Recycling and waste management can provide jobs in collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing, helping to address unemployment in many communities. At The EnvironMental, we believe waste is more than just trash—it’s a resource waiting to be harnessed. By embracing recycling and innovative waste management, we can turn waste into wealth, creating a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous Nigeria. 🌱💡 #WasteToWealth #GreenNigeria #Recycling #SustainableFuture #30DayChallenge #TheEnvironMental

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞: 𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞  Chilengedwe's director, Cisanga Mwanza, shed light on the alarming impact of indiscriminate plastic waste disposal on Zambia’s economy. From clogging drainage systems and increasing cleanup costs to harming agriculture and tourism, the repercussions are severe—and preventable. But there’s hope! Recycling plastic waste is more than an environmental solution; it’s an economic opportunity. By recycling, we reduce costs, create jobs, and protect vital industries like agriculture and tourism. Let’s take action, Zambia! Start small: segregate your plastic waste, find local recycling centers, and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can turn plastic waste into a resource and safeguard our nation’s future. 💚 What will you do today to make a difference? Share your recycling tips below! CREDIT: Diamond TV Zambia #RecycleZambia #PlasticFreeZambia #SustainableEconomy #GreenLiving #Chilengedwe #EcoAction

Did you know Lagos is the most plastic-polluted city in the world? 🔷 Plastic waste is one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental issues, contributing to urban flooding, carbon offsetting, and public health risks. With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria generates 3.5 million tons of plastic waste annually, yet only 10% is recycled (UNEP). According to a study carried out by the University of Leeds, Lagos has been identified as the most plastic-polluted city in the world, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue effectively. To effectively address plastic #pollution, we need homegrown, data-driven solutions designed specifically for Nigeria’s unique challenges. 🔷 We @VIISAUS are currently pioneering data-driven, context-specific approaches to plastic waste management. By mapping waste generation patterns, we identify critical areas for action and develop sustainable, scalable solutions tailored to Nigeria’s infrastructure and socio-economic needs. As we work towards a cleaner, healthier Nigeria, it’s crucial to prioritize solutions that understand our environment—solutions that come from within and are powered by data and research. #viisuasng #PlasticWaste #Sustainability #Innovation #Nigeria #DataDrivenSolutions #EnvironmentalAction