The Waste Gobbler Team Wins GHC10,000 Cash Prize At The 2022 ACAIC
THE TEAM
After months of training, deliberations, and consultative discussions, the much-awaited African Climate Adaptation Innovation Challenge pitch contest, organized by 3 E's 4 Africa e.V., Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), Start-Up Lounge Africa, and cdw Stiftung came to a successful end. Out of 15 finalists with innovative ideas that are going to change the face of Africa. The waste Gobbler Team, a UNIYIA initiative came third. Special thanks to Abraham Bugre their mentor and the awesome team represented by Sheila Abankwe, Augustine Mensah, Noah Bugre, Frank Koomson, and Dorinda Bruce.
WHAT PROBLEM DOES THE WASTE GOBBLER SEEKS TO RESOLVE?
It is estimated that the capital of Ghana, Accra, produces 3,000 metric tons of waste on a daily basis and less than 50% is collected, the rest of the waste ends up on the land and in water bodies. The Korle lagoon is a major recipient of waste in Accra. The percentage of waste deposited in the Korle lagoon is very high and, unfortunately, it leads into the sea in Accra, which affects aquatic life, human health, jobs, sustainable cities and communities, clean water, and sanitation issues. Due to this phenomenon, life below water is being threatened and has lost its aquatic value, becoming a cesspool for most of the city's industrial and human waste. The stretch of the Lagoon is home to nearly 60% of the population of the Metropolis of Accra, while it has been noted by these communities that the generation of solid waste keeps rising, the quantity being collected stays nearly unchanged.
HOW WILL THE PROJECT WORK?
The Waste Gobbler is the proposed solution. This project combines renewable energy, circular economy, and ocean cleanup. The Waste Gobbler initiative aims to build a sustainable system that would retrieve about 10,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste entering the sea at the intersection between the Korle lagoon and the sea every year. This system will be built using simple machines and tools and powered by a renewable energy source, solar. The boat fitted with a conveyor belt system will be positioned at a key point of the lagoon where the water flows into the sea. The municipal solid waste that flows from the lagoon onto the conveyor belt is captured into dumpster-fitted containers and moved to a sorting center for the waste to be sorted and sold to recycling and composting companies. The system will be fitted with containment booms at the edges of the lagoon to ensure that waste will be directed toward the conveyor belt at the mouth of the system. The conveyor belt will be operated with an electric motor which will be powered by a solar panel array fitted on top of the roof of the boat.
KEY BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT AND THE LONGTERM GOAL
The project aims to provide jobs for community members, especially the youth and women through the creation of a sorting center where waste collection and audits will be done. The Waste Gobbler will revive fishing and farming activities that were lost due to the pollution of the Korle lagoon and most importantly increase the employment rate in Ghana.
In the long run, this initiative will help fund the construction of a composting site for landfill conservation. The project will help in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 6- clean water and sanitation for all, 8- decent work and economic growth, 11- sustainable cities and communities, 12 -responsible consumption and production, 13 - Climate Action, and 14- Life below water. The anticipated outcome is that the project will generate enough funds to build a composting center, allowing for expansion and the creation of more decent jobs.
We are looking forward to collaborate with civic society, government agencies and all who equally want to see a transformation of the Korley lagoon to revive acquatic biodiversity and livelihoods around the lagoon.
For additional enquiries please find the following contact details Noah Bugre - Team leader noahbugre@gmail.com
Sheila Abankwe - Partnerships and Grants officer sheilaabankwe@icloud.com