This initiative comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s waste management efforts, particularly in Lagos, where the Lagos State Waste Management Agency reports daily waste generation of approximately 13,000 tons. Managing Director of Freee Recycle, Ifedolapo Runsewe, highlights the size of the problem: ““I think if you take a five minutes’ walk or ten minutes’ walk, and I guarantee you that you will spot at least ten tyres, right? Then you find them in drainages, you find them in street corners where they ideally shouldn’t be.”
The company’s focus on tyre recycling proves to be strategic, given the material composition of tyres. “[Tyres are] quite versatile in terms of the materials they are made from, talk of the rubber, which is mostly what we work with here, and even the steel, which is quite valuable,” explains Runsewe. “And then you also have the fibre as well, which has its own uses and application.”
The company’s flagship product, rubber paving stones, has gained significant traction in the market, providing durable and green flooring solutions for schools, fitness facilities, and various other places. Furthermore, according to Freee Recycle, their operations have prevented more than 8,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions since inception.
This innovative approach to waste management not only demonstrates effective climate action but also represents a viable model for sustainable business practices in Africa’s emerging circular economy. Through its operations, Freee Recycle exemplifies how environmental solutions can align with economic development in the region.
