Street Waste Company Limited, a community recycling enterprise empowering women and youth in the urban slums of Lagos

Omoh Alokwe is the co-founder at Street Waste Company Limited in Nigeria. She is an Environmental Sustainability professional certified as an ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor. She has a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has over six years’ experience in environmental sustainability and waste management. As the co-founder and chief technical officer at Street Waste Company, Omoh ensures the company attain its goals and objectives. The business started its operations in 2019 and today employs 15 people. Through her leadership, over 150 women and youth in underserved communities have been empowered, diverted over 2000,000kg of recyclables from getting to the landfill, and educated over 1000 individuals on waste recycling.

A Young Africa Leadership Initiative (YALI) RLC and Fate Foundation Alumni, Omoh continues to devote her leadership towards social and environmental impacts that reduces poverty, mitigates public health issues, mitigates climate change, and reduces indiscriminate disposal of waste. Local media such as Bonaview media; Business Day; BBC; amongst others have featured her works. Omoh was an Eleven Eleven Foundation nominee as the African Green Person of the year 2019. She is a corporate member Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), Member Nigerian Environmental Society (MNES), and an Executive Council of the Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA). Omoh was recognized among the top 50 MSME remarkable founder 2023 by The MSME Africa.

Lioness Weekender spoke to the impact-making Omoh Alokwe about her environmental mission, her passion for empowering women and youth, and her vision for the future of her business and its contribution to the circular economy.

What does your company do?

Street Waste Company Limited, is a community recycling enterprise launched in 2019 in Lagos Nigeria. The company incentivizes recycling among community members, particularly women and youth in urban slums, by offering monetary rewards for recyclables. Our QR code integration facilitates convenient scheduling and tracking of pickups. Recyclables are manually sorted by employed women and then sold to manufacturers as raw materials, promoting a circular economy. With a team of over 15 staff members, including sustainability and business administration experts, Street Waste Company actively engages the community, addressing waste management challenges, empowering women, and advancing environmental sustainability through responsible recycling practices.

What inspired you to start your company?

I was inspired to start this company after experiencing flooding at home due to plastic-clogged drainage in Badore Ajah, Lagos. This personal experience served as a catalyst for me to take action and address the issue of waste management and environmental sustainability. In response to this inspiration, I pursued a master's degree in environmental management from the University of Lagos Akoka, which provided me with valuable knowledge and insights into environmental sustainability and waste management practices. Armed with my education and a passion for making a positive change, I founded Street Waste Company to promote recycling, empower women, and contribute to a circular economy.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Street Waste Company Limited's uniqueness lies in its holistic approach to recycling and community empowerment. By offering monetary incentives for recyclables and integrating QR codes for convenience, it actively engages community members, particularly women, in recycling efforts. The emphasis on women's employment in the sorting process promotes gender equality and economic empowerment. Moreover, the company's commitment to selling recyclables to manufacturers fosters a circular economy, reducing waste and conserving resources. Founded based on personal experience with flooding, the company combines environmental consciousness with practical solutions. With a founder holding a master's degree in environmental management, Street Waste Company is a socially impactful, community-focused enterprise.

Tell us a little about your team:

Street Waste Company Limited distinguishes itself through its innovative approach to recycling. Offering monetary rewards to community members, particularly women from urban slums, for their recyclables incentivizes active participation. The integration of QR codes streamlines the process, making recycling convenient and transparent. By empowering women through employment in sorting and recycling, the company promotes gender equality and economic empowerment. Selling sorted recyclables to manufacturers contributes to a circular economy, reducing waste and conserving resources. Founded on personal experience with flooding caused by plastic waste, the company embodies a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility. With a founder's background in environmental management, it addresses local waste challenges in Lagos Nigeria.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

My entrepreneurial journey started in 2009 after my youth service when I had my first experience running a business in freelance home tutoring. I had four paying clients, and I was generating a monthly revenue of about 60,000 naira. However, I currently run a more structured business, which is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The experienced garnered over the years running both businesses has equipped me with certain skills such as communication skill; relationship building; negotiation skills; strategic planning amongst others.
I have come to realize that continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning are a constant in my entrepreneurial journey.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

Our future plans, include expanding our recycling operations to serve more communities, embracing advanced technologies for enhanced efficiency, diversifying into recycled product development, strengthening community engagement and awareness, increasing environmental impact by diverting more waste from landfills, ensuring regulatory compliance, pursuing sustainability certifications, and fostering partnerships to further our mission of responsible waste management and environmental sustainability.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Seeing my company, Street Waste Company Limited, make a tangible impact on the environment by reducing waste and promoting recycling can be immensely gratifying. Empowering women through employment and financial incentives, while fostering community engagement and raising awareness about responsible waste management, provides deep personal fulfillment. Additionally, achieving sustainable business growth and recognition for my efforts further contributes to my entrepreneurial satisfaction. Ultimately, my most profound sense of accomplishment likely comes from realizing the mission to create a sustainable and socially responsible enterprise that leaves a lasting, positive mark in communities and the environment.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Believe in Yourself and Your Vision: As a woman in entrepreneurship, it's essential to have confidence in your abilities and your vision for your business. Trust that you can overcome challenges and make a positive impact. Surround yourself with a supportive network and mentors who believe in your potential. Embrace your unique perspective and don't be afraid to take risks. Success often starts with self-belief and determination.

To find out more about the work of Omoh Alokwe and her team at Street Waste Company Limited, send an email to omoh.a@swcl.com.ng or visit the company website and social media platforms:

Website: http://www.swcl.com.ng

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swclng

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/swclng

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/wsclng

YouTube or Vimeo Video:

https://youtube.com/@recyclingchannel2502?si=dhmDQmNjmaYY6GMN