SPECIAL FOCUS ON GREEN RECYCLING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, using innovative technologies to make a positive impact on the economy and environment
Green Recycling Industries Limited, as the name implies, is one of Nigeria’s ecology focused companies. In an interview commemorating World Environmental Day, the General Manager, Mr. Ali Fawaz, shared the role of green recycling industries in curbing environmental menaces in Nigeria. According to him, Green Recycling Industries collects and recycles spent lead-acid batteries producing refined lead ingots 99.99 % while utilizing state-of-the-art technology to ensure environmentally friendly practices and commitment towards a fruitful and sustainable future.
Speaking on the challenge of environmental pollution faced by Nigeria and what Green Recycling is doing to combat this menace, Fawaz said, “ At Green Recycling, we understand the importance of the recycling sector, and the pivotal role it plays in developing the country economically, environmentally and socially. There are numerous hazards and risks accompanying processing spent lead acid batteries, among which are water, air, noise, and earth pollution. Accordingly, all our machinery and processes are sourced from European Technology and comply with the strictest environmental regulations. This is what sets us apart from competitors within Nigeria”
When asked about the impact of the company on the economic growth of Nigeria, he stated that the vision of the company is to revolutionize the lead-acid battery recycling industry in Nigeria, combining environmental responsibility with economic opportunity. He said his company would through innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability create a thriving business that not only led the market but also made a positive impact on the environment, the economy, and society as a whole.
On the innovations and technologies being used by his company to refine batteries, Fawaz emphasized his company’s success in acquiring novel processes and advanced machinery optimizing production, and reducing waste. He said, “In our commitment to environmental responsibility, we’ve invested in cutting-edge machinery and technologies that set us apart. Let me walk you through some key innovations we’ve implemented in our factory. First and foremost, we’ve introduced a groundbreaking technology called desulfurization that neutralizes the acid and omits the sulfur content from the processed materials. This system drastically reduces the sulfur content of the processed materials, resulting in a significant reduction in SOx and NOx emissions, a 20% reduction in waste generated, a 15% reduction in energy expenditure (Both thermal and electrical), and raw material consumption (iron usage drops by almost 80%). Moreover, this system highly impacts the plant’s overall efficiency and increases plant productivity by up to 20%.”
Achieving success and reaching the organizational goals of Green Recycling Industries hasn’t been smooth sailing as many challenges obstruct the company’s path. Solving these challenges will surely benefit GRI, however, the main beneficiary will be the Nigerian economy, environment, and society. Green Recycling GM said, “I want to draw your attention to one of the main challenges we are facing, the irresponsible and underregulated disposal of spent Lead Acid Batteries by other companies in Nigeria. Many companies dispose of their Spent Lead Acid Batteries through scrapyard collectors, contributing to environmental degradation, public health risks, Increased carbon footprint, soil contamination, water contamination, and more. As a responsible and professional company, we advocate for a different approach. We urge other companies to prioritize environmental responsibility and consider the long-term impact of their actions. Instead of handing over their battery materials to scrapyard collectors, we encourage them to divert their materials to companies like ours, where environmental considerations are paramount. Furthermore, he added, “Irresponsible battery disposal results in unpredictable and unstable battery pricing, largely due to the monopoly held by scrapyard owners. Our investment in green technology and commitment to environmentally friendly practices lead to higher production costs, causing us to lose competitiveness in pricing and significantly reducing our profit margins.”
Climate action is the job of everyone: citizens, governments, and corporate bodies. No one should be left out. When asked about the synergy that exists between Green Recycling Industries Limited and the government, Fawaz had this to say: “A heart-felt gratitude, appreciation, and thanks to the Nigerian government and its officials as we are currently cooperating and communicating with them regarding the interventions that can be implemented so that this industry can thrive, develop, and grow. The government initiated an alliance for responsible battery recycling (ARBR). This alliance aims to set a guideline for the responsible processing, and procurement of spent Lead Acid Batteries. What the government is trying to do with ARBR is communicate with the companies that want to sell batteries to those who have the technology and take proper steps in shielding the environment and health of people.”
To sum it up, he added “Together, hand by hand, step by step, and side by side we can make a difference. Together, we can create a more sustainable world for generations to come.”
Website: www.greenrecycling.ng. Call/WhatsApp: +2348099902227. Email: info@greenrecycling.ng
