PET Heroes 2024: Nominee #12 Chioma Ukonu

In the bustling landscapes of Nigeria, Chioma Ukonu stands as a pillar of innovation and sustainability, leading the fight against environmental degradation through her transformative initiative, RecyclePoints. 

With a rich background in environmental sustainability and social development, Chioma has spent over a decade championing circular economy practices, focusing on waste recovery, climate change mitigation, and empowering vulnerable communities.

As the co-founder and COO of RecyclePoints, Chioma has positioned the organization as Nigeria’s premier social-benefit entity, dedicated to recycling and environmental preservation. This initiative transcends traditional recycling programs, offering a revolutionary model that motivates community involvement in waste recovery. By turning everyday recyclable materials like PET plastic, cans, and glass bottles into valuable assets, RecyclePoints incentivizes sustainable living.

The issue of waste management, especially with the surge in PET plastic consumption, presents severe environmental challenges, including widespread pollution and the intensification of climate change effects. Lagos State, RecyclePoints’ initial focus area, produces an average of 9,000 metric tonnes of waste daily, with a significant portion comprising recyclables that obstruct drainage systems, leading to flooding and health hazards.

RecyclePoints tackles these issues directly with its innovative “Point-Based” incentive scheme. Participants, termed “post-consumers,” accumulate points by depositing their recyclable waste, which can then be exchanged for household items, services, or cash. This approach not only encourages recycling and mitigates environmental risks but also cultivates a culture of sustainability and responsible waste disposal among Nigerians.

Since its inception, RecyclePoints has achieved significant environmental and social milestones. With seed funding from TEF and the introduction of electric cargo tricycles for material collection, Chioma and her team have substantially broadened their impact. The initiative now supports over 7,500 registered subscribers, has diverted over 590 tonnes of waste from landfills, and has disseminated the recycling message to roughly 37,500 people. Furthermore, RecyclePoints has generated 25 direct and approximately 130 indirect job opportunities, showcasing the potential of environmental initiatives to stimulate economic growth and employment.

Chioma’s contributions have garnered numerous accolades and recognitions, including the LEAP Africa Social Innovator Award and a nomination as a UCLA Pritzker Environmental Genius finalist. Her participation in esteemed fellowships such as The Clinton Global Initiative’s GreenHouse Cohort and the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) highlights her dedication to global environmental sustainability and community upliftment.

Moving forward, Chioma Ukonu and RecyclePoints are committed to scaling their efforts, forging new partnerships, and refining their recycling model to address the evolving challenges of waste management and environmental conservation. Through her visionary leadership and her team’s collective endeavors, RecyclePoints is redefining sustainable development and regenerative practices, demonstrating that environmental challenges can indeed be converted into opportunities for constructive change.

Five Minutes with Chioma Ukonu:

adaPETation®: Welcome, Chioma. It’s an honor to have you with us. Could you share the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of RecyclePoints?

Chioma Ukonu: Absolutely. The idea for RecyclePoints sparked during a family vacation in the United Kingdom, where we faced a fine due to improper waste disposal. This embarrassing moment, combined with our drive to make a meaningful impact, led us to develop a system that not only addresses waste management in Nigeria but also incentivizes recycling in a way that aligns with our ethos.

adaPETation®: What problem does RecyclePoints aim to solve?

Chioma Ukonu: Nigeria faces a significant urban waste management crisis, exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and poor waste disposal behaviors. With RecyclePoints, we’re tackling this issue head-on by encouraging recycling through a rewards-based system, thus addressing the environmental impact of waste and promoting sustainable practices among communities.

adaPETation®: The issue of plastic pollution is a big problem in Africa and the rest of the world. What motivated you to focus on this problem through RecyclePoints?

Chioma Ukonu: The sight of plastic waste clogging our streets and waterways was a call to action. Plastic pollution not only harms our environment but also exacerbates social and economic disparities. By founding RecyclePoints, we aimed to create a sustainable solution that empowers communities to combat plastic pollution actively.

adaPETation®: How does design play a role in transitioning to a better world through your project?

Chioma Ukonu: Design is crucial in making recycling accessible and engaging. By incorporating circular design principles and focusing on user-centric solutions, we can drive systemic change, making it easier for people to participate in recycling and contribute to a more sustainable future.

adaPETation®: Can you share how RecyclePoints contributes to restoring ecosystems?

Chioma Ukonu: Through our recycling initiatives, we’re directly reducing the amount of waste that ends up in natural ecosystems. Our educational programs and partnerships aim to raise awareness and foster a culture of environmental stewardship, contributing to the restoration and preservation of ecosystems.

adaPETation®: What challenges do you face in scaling RecyclePoints

Chioma Ukonu: Scaling presents several challenges, from market dynamics and logistical hurdles to financial constraints and regulatory barriers. Despite these challenges, we’re committed to expanding our impact and exploring innovative solutions to overcome these obstacles.

adaPETation®: Where do you find inspiration, and have you explored systems thinking in your approach?

Chioma Ukonu: My faith and the positive impact of our work are my main sources of inspiration. We’ve employed systems thinking to understand the complex interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors in the communities we serve, aiming for holistic solutions to the challenges they face.

adaPETation®: Looking at the bigger picture, what worldviews inform your response to global challenges?

Chioma Ukonu: Deep Ecology and Systems Thinking guide our approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of holistic solutions. These perspectives inspire us to address not just the symptoms of environmental issues but their root causes, fostering a more sustainable and equitable world.

adaPETation®: How do you sustain networks of hope in your work?

Chioma Ukonu: By nurturing resilience, collaboration, and community engagement, we sustain networks of hope. Our faith, vision, and commitment to empowering communities drive us to continue our work, despite the challenges.

adaPETation®: If you were to win the PET Heroes prize, how would you use the €10,000 to further your mission?

Chioma Ukonu: The prize would enable us to expand our reach, setting up more waste aggregation points and empowering communities, especially women, to become more actively involved in recycling, thus amplifying our impact on creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment.