Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Developing biodegradable sanitary pads from banana and plantain stem fibers to provide an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative to conventional pads, reducing waste and promoting environmental sustainability.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Allgreen Pads is an innovative project aimed at producing biodegradable sanitary pads using banana and plantain stem fibers. Our goal is to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional sanitary pads that are often non-biodegradable and contribute to environmental pollution. By recycling agricultural waste into sanitary pads, we are addressing both menstrual hygiene management and waste reduction. Our pads are designed to be affordable, environmentally friendly, and accessible to marginalized women and girls who cannot afford conventional sanitary products. We are committed to promoting environmental sustainability and improving menstrual health.

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

The main problem we are addressing is the environmental impact and accessibility issues associated with conventional sanitary pads. Traditional sanitary pads contain plastic and other non-biodegradable materials that contribute significantly to waste pollution. Additionally, many marginalized women and girls in low-income communities cannot afford these products, leading to poor menstrual hygiene management and associated health risks. Our project aims to provide an eco-friendly, affordable solution by converting agricultural waste into biodegradable sanitary pads, thus reducing waste and promoting menstrual hygiene.

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

1. Environmental Sustainability: Our biodegradable sanitary pads significantly reduce plastic waste and environmental pollution by using natural, compostable materials. 2. Affordability: By utilizing locally sourced agricultural waste, we can produce sanitary pads at a lower cost, making them accessible to marginalized communities. 3. Health and Hygiene: Our pads offer a hygienic solution for menstrual management, reducing the risk of infections and promoting better menstrual health among women and girls.

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

Our project is primarily aimed at serving marginalized women and girls in low-income communities who cannot afford conventional sanitary pads. This includes school-aged girls, rural women, and women in underserved urban areas. By providing affordable, biodegradable sanitary pads, we aim to improve menstrual hygiene management and health outcomes for these groups. Additionally, our project targets environmentally conscious consumers who prefer sustainable products and are concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-06-01

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.)

Abdulrahman Adebayo: Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical and Materials, Development of Starch-Based Bioplastic expert. Rebecca Sunday: Marketing and communications specialist with extensive experience in digital marketing and brand development. Samuel Isaac : MSc. Economics and over 7 years experience in financial management.

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

https://allgreenplanet.org/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093971673610&mibextid=ZbWKwL

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Allgreen Pads provides employment opportunities for women and marginalized communities by involving them in the production process. By training and employing local women, we empower them financially, reducing poverty levels in their communities. Additionally, the affordable price of our sanitary pads allows women and girls to save money that would otherwise be spent on expensive commercial alternatives, improving their economic stability and overall quality of life.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Allgreen Pads significantly contributes to the health and well-being of women and girls by providing affordable, hygienic menstrual products. This helps to prevent infections and other health issues associated with poor menstrual hygiene. By promoting better menstrual health, we enhance the overall well-being and quality of life for our users, enabling them to attend school, work, and participate fully in their communities without interruption.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Allgreen Pads empowers women by providing them with employment opportunities and access to affordable menstrual hygiene products. This helps to break down barriers that prevent women and girls from fully participating in education and economic activities. By addressing menstrual hygiene, we tackle a significant gender equality issue, enabling women and girls to lead healthier, more productive lives.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Allgreen Pads promotes better sanitation by providing a hygienic alternative to traditional menstrual products, which can contribute to pollution when disposed of improperly. Our biodegradable pads reduce waste and the environmental impact associated with sanitary pad disposal, contributing to cleaner communities and better sanitation practices.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

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

Allgreen Pads creates jobs and provides training for women in rural and marginalized communities, fostering economic growth and providing decent work opportunities. By developing skills and generating income, we help to lift families out of poverty and contribute to the economic development of the regions we serve. We equally offer farmers additional income from their banana stems which would have been discarded off.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Allgreen Pads fosters innovation by developing a unique, sustainable product from agricultural waste. This not only addresses waste management issues but also promotes industrial innovation in the field of biodegradable products. Our project encourages the development of infrastructure to support sustainable production and distribution.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Allgreen Pads reduces inequalities by providing affordable menstrual hygiene products to women and girls in low-income and marginalized communities. By improving access to these essential products, we help to level the playing field, allowing women and girls to participate more fully in education and economic activities, thus reducing social and economic disparities.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Allgreen Pads contributes to sustainable cities and communities by reducing waste and promoting the use of biodegradable products. By addressing waste management issues and providing sustainable alternatives, we support cleaner, healthier living environments, which are essential for the development of sustainable communities.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Allgreen Pads exemplifies responsible consumption and production by utilizing agricultural waste to create biodegradable sanitary pads. This approach reduces environmental impact and promotes the circular economy. By encouraging consumers to choose eco-friendly products, we foster sustainable consumption patterns and reduce

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By producing biodegradable sanitary pads from agricultural waste, Allgreen Pads helps to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the production and disposal of traditional sanitary products. This contributes to climate action by mitigating waste-related emissions and promoting sustainable resource use.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Allgreen Pads indirectly supports the Life below Water goal by reducing the amount of non-biodegradable waste that could end up in waterways. By promoting biodegradable products, we help to prevent marine pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems from the harmful effects of plastic waste.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Allgreen Pads supports the Life on Land goal by reducing the amount of plastic waste that contributes to land pollution. Our biodegradable pads decompose naturally, promoting healthier soil and ecosystems. Additionally, by using agricultural waste, we contribute to more sustainable land management practices and reduce deforestation and land degradation.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Allgreen Pads actively collaborates with various organizations, to achieve our goals. These partnerships enhance our capacity to innovate, scale our operations, and maximize our impact. By working together with stakeholders, we strengthen the means of implementation and contribute to the global partnership for sustainable development.

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

3

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

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

3

05.08 Justification

Our project introduces a novel approach to waste management by transforming agricultural waste into biodegradable sanitary pads. This innovative solution not only addresses the issue of waste but also caters to the unmet need for affordable menstrual hygiene products in rural areas. By leveraging innovative technology, we are able to produce high-quality pads that are both eco-friendly and accessible to underserved communities.

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

In the biodegradable sanitary pads market, our competitors include both conventional pad manufacturers and other eco-friendly pad brands (reusable sanitary pads). Some of the conventional pad brands include Always, Lady are, Virony, while eco-friendly alternatives include brands such as Padup. What sets Allgreen Pads apart from these competitors is our unique approach to sustainability and innovation. Unlike conventional pads that are made from non-biodegradable materials like plastic and synthetic fibers, our pads are crafted from natural agricultural waste materials such as banana and plantain stems. This not only reduces our environmental footprint but also addresses the issue of agricultural waste management. Furthermore, our pads are designed to be leak-proof and chemical-free, providing both comfort and reliability during menstruation, which reusable sanitary pads cannot provide optimally. We prioritize the health and well-being of our customers by offering our product.

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

Yes. I am the National Agricultural Training Manager for a women in Agriculture organization in Nigeria We conduct regular workshops and seminars to encourage and mentor aspiring female entrepreneurs. I also collaborate with local schools and colleges to provide young women with the skills and knowledge necessary to start their own businesses. Additionally, we participate in community events and forums to raise awareness about the importance of female entrepreneurship and provide support networks for women in business.