Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We aim at the manufacturing of alternative construction blocks which are more eco-friendly, sustainable, termal-resistant, durable and cheaper than its concrete counterpart, which also in the process, fights an environmental waste plastic disposal crisis.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The GreenProject is an initiative focused on sustainable economic development with great impact on the environment. It entails the manufacturing of pavement blocks, construction blocks and roof tiles with the use of fine aggregate and plastic which acts as an adhesive to bond the mixture. The result will be an extremely durable and thermal-resistant product which can withstand extreme pressure and weather conditions. It will also be significantly cheaper than the current conventional concrete option, thus making a more suitable alternative in the construction industry.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem we are trying to solve is curbing the environmental hazards caused by the by-products of the process of concrete manufacturing and waste plastic disposal by introducing a product which sources waste plastic as a primary raw material and results in a final product with a very low carbon footprint. Plastic disposal is a very serious environmental problem that we face in modern times due to how slowly plastic breaks down, scientific research shows that it can take approximately 500 years for plastic to completely breakdown, and this has very dangerous effects on land and to marine life. Equally dangerous to the environment are the chemical by-products of cement, and our primary aim is to come up with an alternative product that solves such problems.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The benefits of our proposed product are share amongst different spheres. Benefits on one hand are felt directly by the users of our products as they benefit directly from the superior quality, lower cost, more resistant, more durable and fire-retardant aspects of our products. Benefits will also be felt by the local communities where we operate because it will be good provider of employment of both skilled and unskilled labour, which will help improve the conditions of life for the inhabitants. The primary benefit goes to the environment. By introducing a product with a low carbon footprint, using plastic waste during manufacturing and providing an extremely durable final product, we will not only make everything greener, but the increased durability and longevity results in lower maintenance costs over time.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our target market includes but not limited to Real Estate Developers, Road construction companies, Government and Private Contractors, Construction Engineers and private individuals who intend to use our products in their construction projects. All the above mentioned demographics are our direct target customer base, however, the impact will be felt by the daily users of the projects constructed with our products, be it buildings or roads, and the community at large.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2019-09-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

My three collaborators are experts in different fields which Legal and compliance, construction and mechanical engineering and communications and digital marketing. Our legal and compliance expert is a holder of a master's degree in international law, and he provides us with all necessary legal advice for compliance and operations. With a degree in mechanical engineering and a processional career track in construction, my second associate is a great part of our team as she contributes a lot of brains behind our research. Our communications and digital marketing expert has been very instrumental in outlining our pathways for global outreach with the use of advertising and communication strategies, and exploiting the power of the internet and social media to better market our brand.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

www.greenconstructions.org

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By providing a means of employment to the local communities, both in the areas of skilled and unskilled labour, we believe we are greatly contributing to providing better living conditions for the inhabitants, thus helping to alleviate poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Empowering the community with a better purchasing power, we are indirectly contributing to the Zero Hunger goal because the people will be able to afford food.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

3

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

With our commitment to ridding the environment of plastic waste impurities, our project contributes in cleaning the lands and making it more conducive for heathy living, and the waters less polluted, thus protecting marine life which as a source of food may cause health issues if contaminated.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

N/A

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our impartial and equal inclusion of women in our project, providing women equal work opportunities and equal pay for the same work done as men, we think that goes a huge way in empowering the women.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

6

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Improper waste plastic disposal is causing a massive health crisis with blocking of streams, rivers and ponds which in turn cause extremely poor sanitation conditions for those who live in the affected areas. Our assessment is that implementing effective plastic disposal methods and proper cleaning of such waste from our land fields and water ways will greatly pave the way for access to clean water and better sanitation.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

N/A

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Employment opportunities makeup the backbone of economic growth. Our project will be a great job creation opportunity for both skilled and unskilled workers.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

The process of mixing melting aggregate and plastic, melting them in to a pulp at high temperatures before letting it cool again in a press or a mold results in products that can withstand upmost pressure and the most extreme climatic conditions. Infrastructure constructed with our products are extremely resilient and this technology will push the construction industry to divest from its current status quo and embrace a more reliable and sustainable future for the industry.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The project doesn't lay emphasis on this sustainable development goal

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

With the relatively superior quality and durability of our products, there is a reduced need for constant maintenance, resulting in the construction of more sustainable cities and settlements.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

N/A

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Our focus on collecting waste plastic, which is a primary component in the fabrication of our products, helps to fight climate change. Science proves that plastic which has been improperly disposed end up in land fields which generate methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as the plastic breaks down. Plastic pollution in oceans also harm marine life that absorbs carbon dioxide, thus reducing its removal from the atmosphere.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

We hinder the improper disposal of plastic into the rivers and oceans, and by so doing, reducing the devastating consequences which include but not limited to animals getting entangled and trapped in plastic debris, leading to restricted movement and possibly suffocation. Marine creatures may also mistake plastic for food which could fill their stomachs with inedible and indigestible material, leading to death. Plastic pollution can also enter the food chain, posing a threat to human health as well.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Sourcing our raw materials from land fields, our project aids to reduce the damage of viable agricultural land due to bad plastic disposal habits. This helps in protecting the terrestrial ecosystem and slow down land degradation.

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

N/A

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

N/A

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

4

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

2

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

2

05.08 Justification

A similar version of our proposed product is not widely in use or in the market at the moment. Although it is a new type of technology, it is not an entirely new type of product because there is a market alternative which is widely accepted and used.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our potential main competitors are big corporations in the construction industry who have a total hold on the market. However, our marketing strategy will prove that our product offers the user an energy efficient system that will not fail. Our products are a more sustainable alternative system that meets the demands of today's architectural designs and will continue to provide these desired features in the future. Plastic is a very slow deteriorating material which when combined with sand and processed using our methods results in non-deteriorating materials of the highest quality and are formulated to surpass the required standard for eco-friendly sustainable construction. They provide energy efficiency by conserving temperature. They are lightweight easy to install and cost effective. They don't corrode or degrade, so needs little maintenance. They are waterproof, fire retardant with a good grip texture, stable, durable, rugged, and meant to withstand many pounds of pressure.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

I do encourage everyone, especially young girls to get a career, get a job and be financially self sufficient. I also make sure to intégrante women in all ventures which I undertake, I believe the possess an immesurable value. Following my advice, 70% of my female friends have engaged in some form of entrepreneurship venture. Growing up in a society where most of the youth aspire to be civil servants just in order to secure a guaranteed minimal government salary, I have the ideology that a nation can only succeed when a majority of the people aspire to be entrepreneurs. Some may never succeed and some may fail at first, but it is the entrepreneurial mindset that saves us when we face difficult times and tough choices.