Engineers Without Borders NL wins Stamicarbon grant for Jos Green Centre

The grant will enable EWBNL to provide a new plastic recycling shredder for the Jos Green Centre project in Nigeria.

The Jos Green Centre, a youth organisation at the forefront of pioneering innovation for large-scale systemic change in Nigeria, aims to address the pressing issue of plastic waste in the region. Currently, Nigeria generates a staggering 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with approximately 88% of this waste not being recycled. This alarming statistic positions the country as the ninth largest contributor to ocean plastic pollution worldwide.

Recognising the urgent need for grassroots-level leadership and change, EWBNL, in collaboration with Stamicarbon, has taken a significant step toward tackling this environmental crisis. The grant will facilitate the procurement of a state-of-the-art plastic recycling shredder, which will serve as a catalyst for the Jos Green Centre's plastic recycling efforts in the region.

"We are thrilled to have been awarded the Ideas-to-Reality grant from Stamicarbon," said Sven Spierings, Chairman at Engineers Without Borders NL. "This grant will enable us to support the Jos Green Centre in their mission to combat plastic pollution and drive sustainable change in Nigeria. We appreciate Stamicarbon's vision and commitment to creating a positive impact for a more equitable future.”

The partnership between EWBNL and Stamicarbon exemplifies the shared dedication to building a circular world and supporting communities in under-resourced regions. By empowering the Jos Green Centre with the necessary tools and resources, this collaboration will contribute to generating employment opportunities through the establishment of a pilot recycling plant in the city of Jos.

"We are proud to support Engineers Without Borders NL and the Jos Green Centre in their efforts to address the plastic waste crisis in Nigeria," said Pejman Djavdan, CEO of Stamicarbon. "This grant reflects MAIRE group’s commitment to driving innovation by supporting sustainable projects that bring social impact. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration and making a meaningful difference together."

After successful establishment and operation, the pilot plant will undergo evaluation for phase two. This phase includes expanding the plant with a water treatment system, storage, and drying facilities to efficiently recycle and market one tonne of plastic per week.