‘We are way behind in plastic recycling industry’

With the global plastic recycling market estimated to hit over $60 billion by 2025, fuel retailing company, Enyo Retail and Supply Limited have stated that Nigeria is way behind top gainers of the recycling business.

The Chief Executive Officer of Enyo Retail and Supply Limited, Abayomi Awobokun, at a virtual press conference to herald its yearly Enyo Open Ideas Competition (EOIC) scheduled to run from June 28th till October 2021, said although the plastic recycling business in Nigeria has potential to generate job opportunities and wealth creation for the nation, more needs to be done to catch up with its counterparts.

According to the World Bank, the world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste yearly, with at least 33 percent of that extremely conservatively not managed in an environmentally safe manner, as global waste is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050, more than double population growth over the same period.

Commenting on EOIC, he said: ‘‘The EOIC provides a platform for creativity, innovation and problem-solving for young professionals. Climate change and global warming are very pertinent issues to humanity. While we encourage young people in the call to combat the issue, we also need to expose their creative side.“

He added: “This will also assist in sensitizing the public on alternative ways that materials can be recycled. With the EOIC, we continue to contribute our part to achieve the goal of having a sustainable environment.

“We have recorded a good level of success with the maiden edition and are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative. We look forward to receiving entries from creative young people.”

He noted that with innovations like EOIC, there is an opportunity to manage and recycle waste effectively to enhance growth.

He pointed out that entries received would go through a rigorous review process by renowned judges who will shortlist and announce a winner.

“The inaugural edition of the EOIC had more than 350 entries. Interested participants can register on www.EOIC.com,” he added.

He said the winner of EOIC would be rewarded with a cash prize of N1,000,000 while the second runner up and first runner up will receive N500,000 and N250,000 respectively, stressing that the top three will also be given implementation support on their proposed designs.

He noted that the competition is part of its commitment to support the sustainable development goal of combating climate change and enhancing creativity among young minds.

“EOIC is an annual competition that is aimed at giving Nigerians the opportunity to express their creativity by providing sustainable solutions to the environment. The 2021 edition themed ‘’Enyo Recyclit’’ is geared at encouraging participants on generating ideas to reuse, recycle and refurbish materials to conceive a service station concept and design that is futuristic,” he added.