Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Eco-Beautifier is a multi-purpose initiative, transforming textile waste into eco-friendly bricks, stuffing for pillows, wadding for bags, shoes, furniture, etc., and other decorative accessories.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

This project is targeted at transforming textile waste (wastes from tailoring shops and old used clothes) into eco-friendly products, which include; bricks, stuffing, and wadding. These bricks are excellent thermal and acoustic insulators that are used for room partitions, furniture markings, and decorative walls. The stuffing and wadding are perfect sustainable alternatives to poly-fill and polyurethane foam. The stuffing is also a perfect alternative to the use of virgin cotton, which can be remanufactured into threads.

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

The rise of fast fashion encourages a throwaway culture, contributing to the growing amount of textile waste, much of which ends up in landfills. The industry is facing challenges in collecting and processing these textile wastes. This project therefore developed collection systems to manage textile wastes and also process them into valuable products for household and office use.

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

Our major advantage is resolving/reducing the issue of textile waste management using a mechanical and green method of conservation, which includes: 1. Resource conservation: reducing virgin resource extraction and extending material use. 2. Environmental benefits: lower emissions, pollution and resource use 3. Chemical-free 4. Close-loop production system and 5. Less energy use

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

This project is targeted to benefit all circle of human population, both young and old, which includes: students (18–45), children, textile industries, carpenters, household stores, etc.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-14

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

4

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

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

Michael Deborah Eleojo B'ed Biology and Fashion designer Dedicated, resourceful, innovative, and goal-driven professional educator with a solid commitment to the social and academic growth and development of every child with an experience of 10+ in fashion. Yaro Victor Anejodo BSC Biochemistry, Research scientist, Entrepreneur (Bricks designer) An excellent planner, executes and successfully completes projects within timeline and budget with strong leadership qualities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage complex projects. Isaac Martins Ufedo B. Engineering (Civil Engineering), Project engineer Highly skilled civil engineer with 4 years of experience in designing and managing infrastructure projects. Abdul Nuhu Rehinant HND Accounting fashion designer An experienced Financial Officer with more than 3+ years of experience in financial management and analysis. She has a proven track record of successful financial management and strategic planning.

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Waste management/Textile manufacturing

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

This project will address textile waste by contributing to poverty reduction through creating jobs, generating income, supporting small-scale enterprises, empowering communities, and promoting sustainable economic growth.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

This initiative will contribute to achieving zero hunger in several ways, which are: 1. Converting textile waste into compostable materials can create nutrient-rich soil amendments, thereby reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and enhancing soil health. 2. Textile waste transformation can support a circular economy, creating new resources and jobs while reducing waste and promoting food security. 3. Developing innovative textile-based solutions, like compostable food storage bags, can help reduce food waste and promote sustainable food management practices.

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

Chemicals in textile production can contaminate soil, water, and air, posing a health risk to humans and the environment. This recycling approach helps to reduce the virgin use of resources such as chemicals and replace it with a circular approach to already manufactured textiles, which will now reduce the risk associated with virgin production stages.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

This initiative will be responsible for quality education in the following ways: 1. Environmental education: promoting environmental awareness, educating, and teaching students and communities about sustainable practices and waste management. 2. Establishing vocational training in recycling, upcycling, innovative learning, and community engagement that promotes collective action, social responsibilities, and skill development in design, production, and entrepreneurship for a sustainable future.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

6

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

This initiative will contribute to achieving the SDG goal by empowering women, thereby promoting financial independence, equal access to resources, promoting safe and fair working conditions, reducing gender-based violence and harassment, promoting entrepreneurial opportunities, and promoting economic empowerment, which promotes gender-sensitive education and community engagement for inclusive and sustainable development.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Textile production and waste management can affect water resources. Recycling this textile waste through this initiative will help limit/reduce textile waste by conserving water and preventing water pollution. It will also promote environmental hygiene through reduction in textile wastes in the environment.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

This project will contribute to reducing energy consumption, which will reduce the need for new raw materials, which require less energy to produce. Energy-efficient production: we promote this by reducing greenhouse gas emissions using manual operation.

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

We contribute to job creation, which provides income opportunities, enhances human capital, promotes safe and fair working conditions, reduces labour exploitation, and promotes economic growth and innovation.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Our project contributes to innovative technologies by using mechanical and manual means of encouraging circular economy models, which reduce textile waste and promote resource efficiency. we are developing new products which will aid reduction in the need for virgin resources and promoting sustainable industrialization.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Not applicable

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Reducing the amount of textile waste sent to landfills, reducing environmental impact , waste-related risks, and vulnerabilities, and improving urban air quality and quality of life. Thereby promoting more equitable, resilient and environmentally conscious individuals.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Not applicable.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

We will contribute by reducing greenhouse gas and carbon footprint thereby, reduce the need for new raw materials resulting in lower emissions, save/less energy use, promoting sustainable land use and adapting circular business models which help to mitigate climate change.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

6

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

We contribute to protecting life below water by reducing the impact on aquatic ecosystems and helping to protect marine biodiversity and conservation. Textile waste recycling reduces marine pollution, thereby preserving the health of our oceans and supporting sustainable development.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

6

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

We contribute to protecting life on land by preserving natural resources, reducing soil and land pollution, protecting soil health, which promotes sustainable agriculture, and conserving forest products.

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

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Not applicable.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Transforming textile waste creates new opportunities for global trade and economic growth, promoting sustainable development. It also allows sharing of best practices in textile waste transformation, therefore promoting capacity building and technology transfer.

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

5

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

5

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

This project is unique and innovative as it will manage textile waste processing and transformation manually without any fuel consumption. This is to promote climate change action through low energy consumption. We process this waste into bricks that can be used for different building activities and also into stuffing and padding that will be utilized in different furniture products for household and office use.

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

Our products allow for the creation of one-of-a-kind, high-value products with a personal touch. Little equipment is required in our process. Since our products are done manually, it allows for closer inspection and quality control. Our transformation have lower carbon footprint due to reduced energy consumption. We also preserve the traditional textile styles and cultural heritage of our communities.

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

Raise awareness about textile waste management in schools and higher institutions in my community. I conducted capacity building trainings and workshops on textile waste management for females in my community. We have also utilize social media platforms popular among women to raise awareness about textile waste management.