By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The TURN Plastic Recycling Foundation has showcased recycling innovations as part of activities to commemorate its second year anniversary.
According to a statement e-signed by Mrs. Uloma Airhienbuwa and dated February 21, 2024 and sent to The DEFENDER on Wednesday, the anniversary event showcasing the innovations was held on February 8, 2024.
Based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the recycling firm said its anniversary reflected on a journey that had not only redefined waste but had also impacted lives and livelihood of local communities.
According to Ihuoma Njemanze, the Project Coordinator from UNITAR, TURN Plastic Recycling Foundation is borne from a CSR collaboration between the United Nations (UNITAR), TotalEnergies E&P Nig. (TEPNG), and NNPC.
Explaining, Njemanze said “TURN” refers to TURNing Waste into Value and empowering the local ecosystem.
Themed, “Art, Culture and The Environment”, this year’s anniversary had been designed to showcase the journey, impact and the vision for TURN Plastic Recycling.
While showcasing the recycling innovations, Mrs. Uloma Airhienbuwa, who signed the statement, cast a spotlight on creatives, who have embraced environmental sustainability as their medium, challenging perceptions and inspiring a new wave of environmental awareness through art.
She showcased Upcycling innovations using plastic flip flops turned into unique and amazing Art works by an artist and environmentalist, Mr. Eugene Komboye, and another artist, Mrs. Miracle, both have woven a vibrant tapestry of art, culture, to create environmental consciousness.
In addition, the program was graced by poets with a passion for sensitizing the public on waste management – who rendered their creative and passionate poems about plastic waste management. Others included a professor who has created a variety of musical instruments using waste in his project called “Bin to Bank”.
TURN Plastic Foundation showcased some of their products made from 100% recycled plastic waste.
Mrs. Njemanze, added that, the TURN Plastic Recycling Foundation which recently launched the Train up a Child (TUC) Program, that aims to bring about behavioral change, skills acquisition, promotion of waste management, and an increase in the pace of adaptation of the UN SDGs and the nationally determined contribution (NDCs).
She ended her note by charging Nigerians to join hands with TURN Plastic in achieving her vision of zero waste on the streets whilst empowering our local communities.
Furthermore, Leo Nwofa, the project manager showcased a summary of the project journey and roadmap where he mentioned that the project has employed over 50 people (60% women). He went further to state that the plant has grown by 50% between 2022 and 2023 and has saved in Q3 2023, a C02 equivalent of planting 300 trees.
Mr. Nwofa, encouraged Nigerians to follow the hierarchy of waste management which entails – refusing, if not needed; reducing, if you must use; and obviously proper disposal for recycling after use.
The event was hosted in collaboration with Alliance Francaise and graced by people from all walks of life ranging from Governmental Agencies to Educational Institutions and private sector organizations like Total Energies.
