The West Africa Container Terminal-APM Terminals Nigeria, in partnership with Garbage In Value Out, has launched a solar-powered recycling plant in its host community, Onne, Eleme LGA, Rivers State.
In a statement on Wednesday, the terminal operator stressed that the move is a major step toward environmental sustainability and community development.
“The innovative facility is designed to recycle plastic waste into reusable products while harnessing renewable solar energy to power its operations. This project aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, clean energy adoption, and job creation,” the statement read in part.
Speaking during the launch of the event, the Managing Director of the West Africa Container Terminal-APM Terminals Nigeria, who was represented by Daniella Sylva, explained that the remarkable facility is not only dear to the Onne community but also strongly aligns with the terminal’s drive to embrace more eco-friendly and sustainable means of operation.
Sylva added that the terminal and GIVO are supporting the Onne community in overcoming the daunting challenge of managing plastic waste.
“With the full operation of this recycling plant, the residents of Onne and neighbouring communities will have the opportunity to generate income by exchanging plastic waste for value. Beyond helping to protect the community, this initiative will stimulate economic activity and empower residents because the majority of those engaged in the plant’s operations are from the Onne community, with the youths taking centre stage,” Sylva said.
WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria’s Community Relations Manager, Justin Okwuofu, also emphasised the reason for the project:
“This project is a result of a NEEDS assessment carried out in the community in 2022. One of the challenges faced by the community is the problem of environmental degradation. And if you look at most of their drainages, they are all littered with plastic waste. We thought of a sustainable way to eradicate plastics from the drainage systems, and we had to think of a project that would help us mop up all these plastic bottles in society and convert them to something useful for the community. So that’s why this idea of a recycling plant came about,” Okwuofu said.
The Chief Executive Officer of GIVO, Victor Boyle-Komolafe, highlighted the economic and environmental impact of the project: “The centre can do about 300 kilogrammes a day, which turns out to be about 90 metric tonnes a year. Again, for that amount, we also avoid about 2,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions because all of our processes rely on clean energy. The centre supports about 50 indirect jobs and 15 direct jobs every month while also providing incentives to encourage recycling and sustainable practices,” Boyle-Komolafe said.
According to Boyle-Komolafe, GIVO is about creating sustainable infrastructure in communities that support a clean environment and also empower the community through jobs and incentives and really ensure that everybody understands the importance of a clean environment and leads a clean environment.
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Onne, HRH King Sunday Njijor Jiala, One-eh-Onne, represented by Chief Godwin Ololuka, commended the initiative, describing it as the first of its kind in the history of Eleme LGA, Rivers State, and a solution to the community drainage challenges.
