Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Zilcycler is a waste recycling and social enterprise that leverages on blockchain technology to provide best recycling practice and value for post-consumer wastes thereby promoting environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Zilcycler is a waste recycling and social enterprise that operates a digital asset as an incentive based scheme that collects recyclables from post-consumers and rewards them with (ZOINTS) which can be converted to cash or household materials. We offer individuals and households a chance to capture value from their waste and provide a regular supply of recyclables to the recycling industry. We strive to create a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future for local communities and the environment. The digital asset (ZOINTS) is developed on Binance Smart Chain, giving users the ability to track and monitor the disbursement. Blockchain immutability and transparency ensure that every record is readily and publicly accessible without modification. Our use of blockchain also enables users to track their recyclables movement from collection to sorting and recycling. This gives them assurance that their recyclables are recycled using the best practices and don't get into landfills as waste.

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

Plastic waste is one of the biggest issues facing the planet today, with its impacts stretching far and wide. It can be found polluting the tallest mountains to the deepest ocean trenches, and can affect human health, destroy ecosystems, and harm wildlife – especially marine species. Nigeria is estimated to generate about 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually with only a mere 10% of that being recycled. The daily generation of over 10 million tonnes o plastic waste overwhelms the existing infrastructure, creating significant challenges for municipal waste management authorities. This is why Zilcycler was started to alleviate plastic pollution, foster community engagement, and provide economic opportunities. We complement municipal waste managers effort to recycle plastic wastes in an innovative and smart way creating jobs and ensuring a circular economy.

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

Social enterprise model: Zilcycler gives back to its community to enhance poverty alleviation and employment opportunities through this model Community rewards through a point system: Residents who contribute to this initiative by segregating and collecting plastic waste to be donated to Zilcycler are rewarded with ZOINTS which qualify them for gift items or cash Transparency through technology: Zilcycler mobile app is currently being developed and will be functional for transparency and monitoring of waste donated, rewards qualified for, and redemption of rewards. It uses blockchain to track and monitor recyclables from collection to the final product. First-mover advantage in responsible recycling: Zilcycler is the first recycling company in Nigeria that utilizes blockchain technology. Zilcyclers is a first-of-its-kind among all recycling and waste management companies. Competitors mainly use the waste-buy-back approach while Zilcyclers uses the social enterprise model

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

Zilcycler service is for the following Individuals and Households: Individuals and households can register to receive value for their recyclable materials. Zilcycler’s collection routes pick up recyclables, and users are rewarded with digital assets (ZOINTS) equivalent to the quantity of materials collected. Corporates: Corporate entities can partner with Zilcycler to minimize waste ending up in dumpsites. A paid annual fee covers logistics, collection, and processing of recyclables. Corporate support can extend to Zilcycler projects and setting up Collection Hubs and Recyclables Aggregation and Processing Facilities Institutions: Zilcycler collaborates with institutions to reduce their carbon footprint by managing recyclables. The service includes evacuating, sorting, and processing recyclables, contributing to environmental sustainability. The processed products(Baled plastics, covers) are then sold to offtakers who further process it into finished goods.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-03-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

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

Taofeek Lateef is the founder of Zilcycler, a waste collection and recycling social enterprise leveraging blockchain technology to track users' recyclables movement from collection to recycling, rewarding them in the process. Before founding Zilcycler, he worked as a blockchain developer for 2 years, specializing in Delegated Proof of Stake(DPOS) blockchain. He holds a degree in microbiology from Kwara State University, with a passion for environmental sustainability and job creation, which motivated him to enter the recycling industry. Under his leadership, Zilcycler has successfully diverted over 201 tons of plastic waste from landfills for recycling. Taofeek's vision is to create a circular economy where waste is not a problem but an opportunity for renewal and transformation. Zilcycler has partnered with leading organizations such as Wecyclers to advance sustainability initiatives. Zilcycler has also sponsored events lie the climate action festival Ilorin and wastenovation.

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

https://zilcycler.com

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Recycling

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler social enterprise and the rewarding of digital asset ZOINTS ensures that every individual get rewarded for their recyclables thereby reducing poverty in Nigeria

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

4

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

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

3

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler's workforce is diverse and inclusive, providing equal opportunities and equal pay for both men and women in various roles, from collection to management. There is no discrimination whatsoever. Our workforce is currently comprised of 22women and 17males

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler ensures all her workers are paid above the Nigerian minimum wage in a way that is sustainable for both parties involved. This ensures that the workers are productive and not being slaved away.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler recycling process involves innovation in waste management techniques with the use of blockchain technology to reward individuals and at the same time track recyclables. This contributes to sustainable industrial pracctices.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler implements an inclusive hiring practice, ensuring equal opportunities for employment regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic background. Zilcycler promote diversity, including hiring individuals from marginalized or disadvantaged groups. We currently have youths, older people from Hausa, Yoruba, Nupe, Igbo in our workforce.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Our recycling actions is to move from a linear system to a circular economy thus advancing sustainability in cities and communties.

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

Zilcycler actively promotes responsible consumption and production by collecting and recycling plastics, thereby reducing the environmental impact of waste and encouraging a circular economy.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler plays a role in climate action by addressing the environmental impact of plastic waste. By diverting PETs from landfills and incineration, we help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional disposal methods.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler efforts in waste collection and recycling contribute to preserving terrestrial ecosystems. By reducing the volume of plastic waste in landfills, we help protect soil quality and biodiversity, supporting the goals of sustainable land use.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Zilcycler recognizes partnership is a crucial way to achieve one's goals quickly and have done that. We are partnered with organizations such as Wecyclers to advance circular and sustainable economy.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

3

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

3

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Zilcycler leveraging on blockchain technology is a unique thing that makes it stand heads above shoulders among its contemporaries. While many offer a buyback reward program, Zilcycler utilizes digital asset ZOINTs for users. The digital asset is transparent on the blockchain and can be monitored. The blockchain immutability allows this and as such there is no gaming the system on number of recyclables collected or amount of rewards distributed. One other thing is the issue of truly recycling the materials and not just dumping them. The use of blockchain will enable users to track their wastes from source to the final product

06.09 Competitive Analysis

There are very few waste recyclers in Kwara state with the majority focusing on metals and only one focusing on plastic (Vicfold Recyclers) Competitive Advantages of Zilcyclers: Social enterprise model: Zilcyclers gives back to its community to enhance poverty alleviation and employment opportunities through this model Community rewards through a point system: Residents who contribute to this initiative by segregating and collecting plastic waste to be donated to Zilcyclers are rewarded with ZOINTS which qualify them for gift items or cash Transparency through technology: Zilcyclers’ mobile app is currently being developed and will be functional for transparency and monitoring of waste donated, rewards qualified for, and redemption of rewards. First-mover advantage in responsible recycling: Zilcyclers is a first-of-its-kind in Kwara state among all recycling and waste management companies. Competitors mainly use the waste-buy-back approach while Zilcyclers uses the social enterprise

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