Meet Dodji, the Owner of ‘Business Waste Recycling GROUP’ From Lomé, Togo
Local environmentally conscious and community-driven entrepreneur Dodji Roger Elavagnon launched Business Waste Recycling GROUP (BWR), specializing in the recycling and processing of plastic waste.
The company’s mission consists of acquiring plastic waste, sorting it and then transforming it into small granules which are then resold to manufacturing companies. Giving new life to waste and reusing old material for new purposes.
BWR purchases plastic from suppliers (specialised companies and individuals), the plastic is then cleaned and sorted by colour, quality and other characteristics before it’s grinded and transformed into small pellets. These granules are packaged in 50kg bags which are then sold to industries specializing in the manufacturing of plastic products in Togo and Ghana.
Each month, an impressive 45tons of plastic are processed and transformed by BWR!
From used to usable: the journey of plastic.
Plastic pellets, also known as “nurdles”, are small plastic granules used in the manufacturing of plastic products. They are created through a multi-step recycling process in which old products made of plastic are grinded into the size of a grain of rice, such is Dodji’s mission.
Companies can buy these recycled pellets, effectively reducing the need for virgin plastic, which is environmentally harmful and costly. Old waste can be converted into most plastic products, a few examples include: houseware, piping, flooring, tarpaulin, clothes etc…
BWR’s project turns waste into a valuable, reusable resource that aligns with both economic incentives and environmental responsibilities.
Tackling Financial and Logistical Challenges
« Our goal is to transform a source of environmental damage into an economic opportunity»
In his effort to build a sustainable plastic waste management business, Togolese entrepreneur Dodji Roger encountered several difficulties. A lack of funding hindered his ability to acquire essential machinery, hire qualified technicians for maintenance and recruit staff for the recycling process. BWR also needed to invest in new equipment which would serve to ensure safety of its staff as well as improve the company’s plastic waste processing capacity and pellet production efficiency.
WIDU Supports Your Green Endeavours
After hearing about the financing instrument that WIDU.africa offers local entrepreneurs, Dodji Roger Elavagnon gets into contact with a diaspora acquaintance living in Germany and they both sign up for the Original WIDU Grant.
Through a 2’000€ WIDU Grant and technical support, BWR acquired 3 tons of plastic waste for sorting and treatment, purchased necessary safety and work equipment, and obtained a grinding machine as well as other relevant equipment. On top of that, through his participation to WIDU, Dodji was able to hire 3 new staff members ad over 20 temporary workers.
In addition to financial support, WIDU provided professional coaching during which the entrepreneur could develop his skills in communication, marketing, social enterprise management and financial management. These sessions also played a key role in strengthening the business’ development
Building a Sustainable Future, One Plastic at a Time
Dodji Roger has great hopes for both his business and his community. He hopes to increase the amount of plastic recycled monthly as well as the production rate of pellet from 40 to 70 tons. His professional ambitions are born of a drive to help create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, but also to create job opportunities for his community thus reducing the unemployment and poverty rate in Togo.
