Community Champion: Uyeh Member’s Inspiring Upcycling Journey

Community Champion
Spread the love

Ify Onyekwere

In an enlightening session on the Development Report Radio Show, Uyeh Member, a Sustainable Fashion Entrepreneur, captivated listeners with her inspiring journey of transforming plastic waste into valuable treasures. The episode, titled “Community Champions: Turning Waste to Treasure,” aired on June 29, 2024, on People’s 105.5FM in Abuja, Nigeria. Hosted by Ify Onyekwere, the show shed light on the innovative ways communities are addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste and turning it into profitable and sustainable ventures. Uyeh Member’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the global relevance of sustainable development.

The world generates over 300 million tons of plastic waste annually, with less than 10% being recycled. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to manage plastic waste. Nigeria, with its rapidly growing population, contributes significantly to this global challenge. In this context, individuals like Uyeh Member are pioneering efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste while empowering communities and creating economic opportunities.

Uyeh Member’s journey into the world of upcycling began in 2019 at a bootcamp organized by the Street Project Foundation. “I was drawn to plastics after the bootcamp,” she recalled. Despite facing ridicule for collecting plastics on the streets—an activity often stigmatized in Nigeria—she persevered. “People looked at me as though I had an issue because I was picking plastics from the street. But I knew what I was using it for, so it did not get to me.”

Her determination led to the co-founding of Sustainable Building Blocks, an organization dedicated to empowering disadvantaged children through upcycling. “We go to communities and find children who are at risk and train them on upcycling to build their confidence and make them believe that they can be of value,” she explained. This initiative not only addresses environmental issues but also provides these children with valuable skills and a sense of purpose.

Waste to Treasure by Uyeh Member

“The process of me turning plastic waste into earrings is very straightforward and energy-efficient. It does not take much of my time and energy, and I believe a lot of young people can make so much profit from this business,” Uyeh noted. She explained that her business has opened some doors she never thought about, including selling out at American embassies and collaborating with major organizations for shared value. She also revealed that her jewellery has graced fashion runways. The business of tuning waste to treasure has made her a sought-after trainer – earning a living while preserving the environment.

However, the journey has not been void of challenges as Uyeh revealed that she faced unreasonable expectations from some community members as some others doubted her walk in her career path as they disagreed of the possibilities of being likely concerned with climate change issues. In her words “Some people have the notion that nothing can be done to protect the environment and therefore see our efforts as a waste of time”. Despite these obstacles, she remains undeterred.
Uyeh’s story tells the global relevance of sustainable development initiatives as climate change continues to stand as a significant threat worldwide.
While all hands should be on deck, grassroots efforts like those led by Uyeh, play a vital role in driving change.

Talking about the interesting part of her business, the Sustainable Fashion Entrepreneur said “This is more than just a hobby for me; I strongly agree that this is a decent way to earn a living while preserving the environment.

The Development Report radio show episode featuring Uyeh Member, reminds the world on the impact of community champions – those who turn waste to value, in the fight against plastic waste and a call to more hands to join the movement towards a more sustainable future.

Click here to read on Plastic Waste: Urgent Call for Corporate Responsibility

Uyeh Member’s contribution to the Development Report Radio Show highlighted the transformative power of upcycling and the importance of community-driven initiatives in addressing environmental issues. Her journey from a passionate individual to a community leader and businesswoman demonstrates that with creativity, resilience, and a commitment to sustainability, it is possible to turn waste into treasure and make a significant impact on the world.

2 thoughts on “Community Champion: Uyeh Member’s Inspiring Upcycling Journey”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *