Skip to content

You are using an outdated browser

Internet Explorer is not supported by this site and Microsfot has stopped releasing updates, therefore you may encounter issues whilst visiting this site and we strongly recommend that you upgrade your browser for modern web functionality, a better user experience and improved security.

Upgrade my browser

Upcycling waste into sustainable furniture

Source: BrightVibes

Eradicating poverty through waste collection is what Nigerian born Olamide Babajide does in order to solve the problem of waste management in Nigeria and provide sustainable eco-furniture as an alternative to conventional wood furniture.

A serious waste problem

Nigeria struggles with an overflow of waste. It’s waste disposal has become a major concern despiteseveral attempts by successive governments and private organisations to fight against this.

Olamide started Pearl Recycling, a social-orientedorganisation that takes solid waste products – like tyres, bottles, newspapersand plastic cutlery – and transforms them into home and office furniture.

Upcycling waste into furnitureSource: Facebook BrightVibes

More than enough materials

Olamide was trained as an Engineer with eight years Information Technology. In 2014, she started her company, inspired by her trip to the United Arabs Emirates where she discovered a piece of art that cost several hundreds of dollars was made from corn shrubs.

“While I was in Dubai for a meeting, I decided to go around and check out some art materials to buy. While I was at a popular store I saw these beautiful wall decorations and realized that they were made from repurposed solid waste,” she said.

“I thought to myself: I travelled to Dubai to bring waste material to Nigeria, and the fact is that they were not cheap, they were expensive.”

Due to Nigeria’s waste struggles, she started collecting waste around the town after she returned from her trip.

“I was still working fulltime when I started collecting waste, on weekends I would try my hands on different solid waste, so I started like that for two years before we became registered,” she said.

Olamide has found a way to relieve Nigeria of its trash problem, while at the same time providing jobgs for those who need it most.
Olamide has found a way to relieve Nigeria of its trash problem, while at the same time providing jobgs for those who need it most. Source: BrightVibes

a start up with a story

Like any start-up company, they face a lot of challenges.

“For a developing country like Nigeria to run a small enterprise, it’s a lot of work. The environment is not conducive for businesses to thrive, but we wake up every day to try,” she said.

Today the company has over 50 contract staffs in Lagos with employment.

“Most of the waste we use is actually the waste from the streets, we employ people to clean the streets, so we also keep the environment clean,” she says.

Olamide says her company trains a lot of women. Especially widows who are struggling to make ends meet.

“Over 50 vulnerable women get trained, our focus are on women and girls,” she said.

Source: BrightVibes

Recognition from all sides

Even though the company is still new, she says she is quite overwhelmed with the success and being recognised in a such short space of time.

Olamide was named Techwomen Emerging Leader by the US Department of State in 2017; the Leap Africa named her as a Social Innovator in 2017; she was selected by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization to represent Nigeria at theWorld Entrepreneur Investment Forum at Bahrain and named by Tony Elumelu Foundation as a Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur in 2016.

“What drives me is the fact that I believe that there are lot of things to do in this country and seeing untapped opportunities by giving jobs to a lot of women,” she said.

“The fulfilment that I have when I see people that I trained making progress and going places is the best,” said Olamide.

Olamide is a changemaker, a dream chaser and an Innovator.

Make an Impact

Support the cause

Visit their website to see all their products. Help lessen the trash problem and help employees to a better future by purchasing Pearl products.