Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Innovating waste management in Nigeria with GreenBin, an automatic household waste separator, coupled with data-driven solutions for efficient collection and decision-making. We are transforming waste into an opportunity for a cleaner, greener future.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

UpwardEco Ltd is a social enterprise with a focus on revolutionizing waste management through innovative technology and data-driven solutions. Our flagship product, the GreenBin, is an automatic waste separator designed for households. It streamlines waste segregation, allowing residents to effortlessly separate recyclables from non-recyclables. Once installed, our GreenBins are connected to nearby collection points and dedicated waste collectors, ensuring efficient waste recovery while minimizing environmental impact. One of our key innovations is the strategic placement of collection points, all within 500 meters of our subscribers. This reduces transit time and carbon footprint, making our waste recovery process both eco-friendly and cost-effective. Our web technologies provide real-time data insights to decision-makers, enabling them to monitor waste trends, optimize collection routes, and make informed policy decisions.

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

The main problem we are addressing is the lack of responsible waste disposal practices among households, particularly in urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Many households either lack access to proper waste management services or are unaware of the importance of segregating waste for recycling and reuse. There's a general lack of understanding among communities about the value of properly separated waste as raw materials for other products. Reliable data on waste generation, composition, and disposal are crucial for effective policymaking, resource allocation, and environmental management. However, many regions in Africa lack comprehensive data on waste management, hindering informed decision-making and sustainable development efforts.

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

1. Our platform incentivizes households to segregate their waste effectively by offering cash rewards as incentives for proper segregation practices, encouraging responsible waste management behaviors, and fostering a sense of community engagement and ownership in environmental stewardship. 2. By using our solution, we effectively divert a significant portion of materials away from ending up in landfills, reducing the environmental burden of waste disposal, minimizing pollution, conserving natural resources, and contributing to the circular economy by reintroducing valuable materials into the production chain. 3. Our data-driven approach provides decision-makers with real-time insights into waste generation, composition, and disposal patterns. This data enables stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding waste management strategies, resource allocation, and policy development. 4. We create meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for youths and women in the society.

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

The primary beneficiaries of our services are households and communities, particularly those in urban and peri-urban areas. We also cater to businesses and industries seeking sustainable waste management solutions. We provide governments, municipalities, Businesses, industries, NGOs, and Development Agencies with valuable insights. We are also creating employment opportunities for youths and women in the waste management sector

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-11-08

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.)

Bethel Clement is an accomplished and award-winning sustainable business leader, conservation biologist, climate champion, changemaker, and researcher with a distinguished track record of making significant scientific and community impacts since 2017. Komshinen Dimlong is a travel consultant and Marketing Specialist with over 5 years experience

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

https://upwardeco.com/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Municipal Solid Waste Management

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By targeting underserved areas of the municipality, we address poverty at its roots by providing employment opportunities for individuals who may otherwise struggle to find stable sources of income. Through waste collection, sorting, and processing activities, we create jobs, particularly for marginalized communities, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and economic empowerment. Also, offering rewards and incentives for proper waste disposal practices provides a tangible economic benefit to households wich further contributes to inclusive growth and poverty alleviation.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Our solutions help reduce food waste by diverting organic waste away from landfills. In many cases, organic waste, such as food scraps and agricultural residues, makes up a significant portion of municipal waste. By promoting composting or anaerobic digestion of organic waste, we prevent valuable food resources from being wasted, thereby contributing to efforts to eliminate hunger and ensure food security.

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

6

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

Our solutions contribute to improved sanitation and hygiene by reducing the prevalence of open dumping and burning of waste, which can lead to air and water pollution, as well as the spread of diseases.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

By engaging with schools, community centers, and youth organizations, we provide opportunities for environmental education and hands-on learning experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental concepts and promoting a culture of sustainability among students and community members.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

By offering jobs to everyone in the value chain, we promote gender equality in the workforce, empowering both men and women to participate in traditionally giving women a chance in male-dominated industries and sectors.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We help prevent water pollution by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

5

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

We implement best practices in waste collection, transportation, sorting, and processing, which minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with waste management activities, contributing to overall energy efficiency improvements and environmental sustainability.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We provide jobs in waste collection, sorting, processing, and entrepreneurship. This helps us contributes to reducing unemployment, poverty, and inequality, while also stimulating economic growth and fostering local development.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

6

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

We develop and implement innovative waste management solutions that leverage technology and data-driven approaches to optimize resource utilization, minimize environmental impact, and promote sustainability.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We create employment opportunities for underserved groups

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

Our solutions contribute to the creation of sustainable cities and communities by improving waste management practices and reducing environmental pollution. We are promoting proper waste disposal, recycling, and resource recovery, we help minimize the environmental impact of waste generation and disposal, leading to cleaner and healthier urban environments.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Our promotion for the transition to a circular economy through advocacy for sustainable consumption and production models that prioritize waste prevention, reuse, and recycling to engaging with businesses, policymakers, and consumers fosters dialogue and collaboration on circular economy strategies and initiatives, encouraging stakeholders to adopt more sustainable approaches to product design, manufacturing, and consumption.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Our solution helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste management. In helping divert organic waste from landfills and encouraging the implementation of composting or anaerobic digestion processes, we prevent the release of methane gas into the atmosphere. Additionally, by promoting recycling and resource recovery, we reduce the need for energy-intensive virgin material production, further lowering carbon emissions.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

5

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

By promoting proper waste disposal practices and implementing recycling programs, we minimize the risk of marine litter and plastic pollution, safeguarding marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Our solution contributes to maintaining the health and integrity of terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and supports efforts to restore degraded lands to their natural state.

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

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

We promote a sense of shared responsibility and cooperation, which contribute greatly to social cohesion and harmony within communities.

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

For bringing together different sectors and actors, we leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks to address complex environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.

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

6

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

3

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

6

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

6

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

6

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.

6

06.08 Justification for my startup

We stand out with this innovative approach to waste management, combining environmental sustainability with data generation and community empowerment. Unlike traditional waste management practices, which often focus solely on waste collection and disposal, we integrate technology and community engagement to create a holistic solution that addresses both environmental and social challenges. One key aspect of our uniqueness is its emphasis on data generation within the waste management process. By incorporating IoT sensors, data analytics, and real-time monitoring systems, we not only improve the efficiency of waste collection and processing but also generate valuable insights for decision-makers. This data-driven approach allows us to optimize routes, track waste flows, and identify trends, ultimately leading to more effective resource allocation and waste management strategies.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Our main potential competitors include two categories: the informal sector, which has been filling the gap left by government infrastructure but may be expensive and unreliable, and other startups in the waste management sector such as Chanja Datti, Wecyclers, Trash 4 Cash, and Ecobarter. What sets us apart is our unique combination of being data-driven and fostering a collaborative mindset. While competitors may focus on traditional methods of waste collection and processing, we leverage technology and data analytics to optimize operations, track waste flows, and provide real-time insights for decision-makers. This data-driven approach enables us to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and offer more reliable and transparent services to customers.

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