New Japanese technology boosts plastic recycling

• The new technology represents a major improvement over existing recycling methods. Traditionally, plastic recycling in Nigeria has relied on basic mechanical sorting and washing, which struggled to remove impurities like sand and debris, leading to low-quality recycled materials, frequent production halts and high water and energy consumption.

• The Laser Filter System and Sand Remover System claim to minimise production interruptions, improve the quality of raw materials, reduce water and energy consumption and increase overall operational efficiency. 

• Our take. Advanced recycling technologies offer African nations the opportunity to reduce raw material dependency… Read more (2 min)

Op-Ed: Is Africa’s greatest untapped resource hidden in waste?

• Mr Cheeks warns that scaling circular economy solutions requires more than innovation—it demands strategic investment in waste collection, processing and market access. 

• Rather than relying solely on traditional recycling, he advocates for prioritising industries that can seamlessly integrate waste into their supply chains, such as converting plastic waste into construction materials.

• Click the link to read the full op-ed… Read more (2 min)

How to integrate industrial waste into Africa’s circular economy

• Africa’s industrial waste sector remains a blind spot in circular economy strategies, despite its economic and environmental impact. A lack of waste tracking makes it difficult to quantify resources, while weak policies and financial disincentives keep industries in a linear model.

• Weak policies and financial disincentives keep Africa’s industrial waste sector locked in a linear model. Unlike plastics and municipal waste, industrial waste recycling lacks government subsidies, tax breaks, or waste-exchange frameworks. 

• Our take: Treating industrial waste as a resource, not a liability, requires a mindset shift…Read more (2 min)

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