In the fast-growing city of Lagos, Nigeria, where urban expansion often surpasses infrastructure capacity, managing waste remains a major challenge.
Amidst this backdrop, Omoh Alokwe emerges as a beacon of innovation and resilience, transforming environmental adversity into an opportunity for sustainable development and community empowerment.
Alokwe’s journey into environmental sustainability was catalyzed by a personal experience in July 2015.
A devastating flood, caused by plastic-clogged canals near her home in Badore, Lagos, resulted in significant property damage and loss. This incident highlighted the dire consequences of improper waste disposal and ignited her passion for environmental advocacy.
Determined to effect change, she pursued a master’s degree in Environmental Management from the University of Lagos, equipping herself with the knowledge to tackle waste management challenges head-on.
In 2019, Alokwe co-founded Street Waste Company Limited (SWCL), a community-focused recycling enterprise aimed at addressing waste management issues in urban slums.
SWCL incentivizes recycling by offering monetary rewards for recyclables, particularly targeting women and youth.
The company employs over 15 staff members and has empowered more than 150 individuals in underserved communities. Through its initiatives, SWCL has diverted over 2,000,000 kilograms of recyclables from landfills and educated over 1,000 individuals on waste recycling practices.
SWCL leverages technology to streamline its operations, utilizing QR code integration for convenient scheduling and tracking of recyclable pickups. Collected materials are manually sorted by employed women and sold to manufacturers as raw materials, promoting a circular economy. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also fosters economic empowerment within the community.
Beyond SWCL, Alokwe serves as the Head of Operations and Sustainability at the Circular Economy Hub (CEHub) Africa.
In this role, she collaborates with stakeholders to develop sustainable waste management solutions and promote circular economy principles. Her leadership extends to various organizations, including the Lagos Recyclers Association and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, where she contributes to policy development and industry standards.
Alokwe’s contributions to environmental sustainability have garnered significant recognition.
She was named among the Top 50 Remarkable Founders by MSME Africa during World MSME Day 2023. Additionally, she was nominated as the African Green Person of the Year 2019 by the Eleven Eleven Twelve Foundation.
Looking ahead, Alokwe envisions expanding SWCL’s operations to serve more communities, embracing advanced technologies for enhanced efficiency, and diversifying into recycled product development.
She aims to strengthen community engagement, increase environmental impact by diverting more waste from landfills, and foster partnerships to further the mission of responsible waste management and environmental sustainability.
Omoh Alokwe’s journey exemplifies how personal adversity can be transformed into a catalyst for positive change.
Through her unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and community empowerment, she continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a cleaner, more sustainable Nigeria.
