Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Our company work with the youth and women to directly exchange all their trash for attractive cash incentives, which they use to better their lives. In-house, we turn the trash into a productive sustainable raw material for resale to companies.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Our company work with youth and women to directly exchange all their trash for attractive cash incentives, which they use to better their lives. In-house, we turn the trash into a productive sustainable raw material sold to companies ensuring that the wastes do not longer harm the environment. We operate in different local wastes collection centers in Lilongwe, with youth and women earning an additional monthly incentive from collecting trash by depositing trash into our enterprise. The local communities then use the money earned for food, healthcare and other necessities. By partnering with individuals, communities and organizations in Lilongwe, we take action 365 days a year to make a real impact on our planet

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

The Capital City of Malawi, Lilongwe is the largest waste producing city in Malawi with an estimated population of 1,122,000 (2020 Census). The city produces more than 250 metric tons of waste per day, less than 30% of this waste is collected, so the city faces a growing problem of accumulated waste. There is lack of adequate waste collection, treatment, and recycling services. This has threatened public health and environmental quality which resulted in putting people’s health at risk while contaminating the water bodies and land people depend upon.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

We provide employment opportunities to local youth and women thereby providing them with a formal income, women empowerment and education. We support our wastes providers with the platform to not only earn some additional income, but also save their income, which they use to pay and access basic needs such as healthcare or education to better their lives. We pursue social impact towards a circular model and engage with the sustainable development goals (SDG) 8, 11 and 13. Additionally, raising awareness about recycling, composting and reducing waste and spreads the joy of composting through workshops, campaigns, seminars and sessions in schools, markets & communities.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our target beneficiaries are economically disadvantaged and vulnerable people who earn cash incentives by depositing trash as an exchange into our enterprise, which is then recycled into reusable raw materials. Our products are sold to residential, commercial and industrial customers in Lilongwe

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-02-07

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Bob Chisamba is a Founder and Managing Director of inteWaste. He is an alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program and the Young Africa Leaders Initiative and an alumni ambassador on a Youth Think Tank Project implemented in Seven African Countries by the MasterCard Foundation and a 2023 Commonwealth Scholar at Warwick Business school- University of Warwick. Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy with distinction, and a Master’s in business administration (MBA) specialized in Finance. Florence Tsoka is a Co-founder and Finance and Administration Manager of inteWaste. For more than 3 years, she has worked as an International Operations Manager and as a Finance and Administration Lead with AIESEC in Malawi. Additionally, she has also worked as an Audit and Assurance Associate and a Credit Control officer for Audit Consult Limited and Solar Works Limited respectively. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and a Diploma in Business Management.

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

https://intewaste.com/

01.11 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 startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We provide employment opportunities to local youth and women thereby providing them with a formal income, women empowerment and education. Additionally, We support our wastes providers with the platform to not only earn some additional income, but also save their income, which they use to pay and access basic needs such as healthcare or education to better their lives.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

We support our wastes providers with the platform to not only earn some additional income, but also save their income, which they use to pay and access basic needs such as healthcare or education and food to better their lives.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

We support our wastes providers with the platform to not only earn some additional income, but also save their income, which they use to pay and access basic needs such as healthcare or education to better their lives.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

We support our wastes providers with the platform to not only earn some additional income, but also save their income, which they use to pay and access basic needs such as healthcare or education to better their lives.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Our Business through year-round engagement, we foster an environment where all teammates feel welcomed, valued and seen with emphasis on empowerment. We promote a culture that embraces diversity of thought and people. Providing training and awareness programs to educate employees on gender equality issues and foster a respectful and inclusive work environment.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We want to support the circular economy by recovering materials for reuse from our customers and communities through recycling, organics collection and processing and sustainability consulting services. By keeping more material in the circular economy, we recover untapped value from materials otherwise destined for disposal in landfill and help meet consumer demand for recycled products.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

3

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We're innovating for climate progress. We support our partners with waste to help them generate biogas energy through deploying advanced technologies that use waste to produce energy, we are both powering communities and reducing our carbon footprint.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We provide employment opportunities to local youth and women thereby providing them with a formal income, women empowerment and education.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

By providing recycled products to households, companies and communities in Lilongwe, we save 5.21 tons of CO2 every week which would otherwise be emitted by transportation of waste to landfills. we want to take action 365 days a year to make a real impact on our planet. Such efforts will help Malawi meet its international obligations and achieve key national development goals.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Our company raise our voice against any type of discrimination wherever we work. We value everyone as equal regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, social background and physical abilities.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

We divert waste from landfill to help curb climate change by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with disposal. With our recycled waste products, we want to help clients reduce emissions by responsibly managing waste and reducing organic waste disposal achieving inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

We strive to be a good neighbor in the communities in which we operate. Over the past years, we have worked closely with the Lilongwe City Council and other stakeholders to inspiring, educating and empowering over 2,000 current and future generations in markets and schools to live sustainably while proactively helping communities thrive. We expect in the next decade to work with over 10,000 involved citizens, organizations and corporate partners on local initiatives to promote civic pride, economic development focusing on making a difference and striving to be good corporate citizens by making communities safer, stronger and more sustainable.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We aim to reduce emissions per ton of waste disposed by more than 15%. We are expected to save 5.21 tonnes of CO2 every day which would otherwise be emitted by transportation of waste and at landfills through our recycling programs. We're centering our sustainability vision for the future around three core ambitions: material is repurposed, energy is renewable, and communities are thriving.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

At the moment there is not much that is being done. At least we are helping to clean the lakes and rivers for possible waste materials that are dumped. We expect to keep more material in the circular economy, we can recover untapped value from materials otherwise destined for disposal and meet consumer demand for recycled products.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

We are helping to keep track not much but at least substantial in making sure places where there is bear land, trees are planted among others.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

N/A

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

6

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

By partnering with individuals, communities and organizations in Lilongwe, we take action 365 days a year to make a real impact on our planet.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

5

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

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

5

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

Our company work with youth and women to directly exchange all their trash for attractive cash incentives, which they use to better their lives and turn trash into productive raw materials for companies to produce other products thus diverting waste from the landfill and reduce emissions. We’ve set a bold sustainability vision for the future: one where waste material is repurposed, energy is renewable, and communities are thriving in the following lines of our services. We believe that embracing innovation allows us to not only address current waste challenges but also to pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There are a number of competitors. But our marketing strategy is centered on our customer, competitors, and our business. our marketing approach strive to demonstrate the contribution our customers make towards the protection and sustainability of our environment through each purchase of our products and services.

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

Our business partners with organizations that support gender equality and women's empowerment to contribute to the broader societal impact. At inteWaste, we believe that empowering women, as employees and consumers, and increasing gender diversity within our business will lead to better business and economic outcomes through increased profitability, productivity, and company effectiveness