Sahara Group Foundation, the corporate social sustainability arm of Sahara Group, has inaugurated its 15th Go Recycling Hub in Ijede, Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State a move aimed at strengthening small business participation in the circular economy while promoting sustainable waste management and community empowerment.
Located opposite the General Hospital in Ijede, the new hub extends the Foundation’s Go Recycling network, which already includes 14 centres across Lagos. The initiative encourages residents, micro-entrepreneurs, and informal waste collectors to turn recyclable materials into income-generating resources creating green jobs and supporting local enterprises.
Speaking at the launch, Chidilim Menakaya, Director of Sahara Group Foundation, said the initiative goes beyond environmental impact by unlocking business opportunities for low-income earners and small-scale recyclers.
“The Ijede Go-Recycling Hub represents enterprise, innovation, and empowerment. Every bottle or can collected here contributes to cleaner communities and sustainable livelihoods,” she said.
Implemented in partnership with Egbin Power Plc, Ijede LCDA, and EcoBarter, the hub provides a convenient drop-off point for recyclables such as plastics, cartons, paper, and aluminium cans. Participants receive financial rewards or redeemable points for materials collected an incentive that helps grow micro-recycling ventures.
Since its inception, the Go Recycling initiative has gathered over 500 tonnes of recyclable waste and facilitated payouts exceeding N50 million, positively impacting more than 1,000 households and creating new income streams for small and medium-scale waste traders.
Egbin Power Plc’s CEO, Mokhtar Bounour, said the initiative shows how sustainability can fuel enterprise development.
“A cleaner Ijede means a healthier Ikorodu and stronger local businesses. This project enhances public health while creating new opportunities for economic participation,” he said.
Also speaking, Ijede LCDA Vice Chairman, Kabir Kareem, described the hub as a “gateway to green enterprise,” urging residents and SMEs to view recycling as a profitable venture that supports climate-friendly innovation.
Roseline Idehai, representing EcoBarter, explained that the partnership is designed to help small-scale collectors and local entrepreneurs build sustainable livelihoods from recycling.
“At EcoBarter, we see waste as a resource. By turning recyclables into cash or value, we’re helping small businesses and individuals become part of a thriving green economy,” she said.
Menakaya reaffirmed Sahara Group Foundation’s commitment to EXTRApreneurship a philosophy of using business innovation to drive social impact.
“With Ijede now part of our network, we’re not just promoting recycling; we’re building an ecosystem where small businesses can grow while protecting the planet,” she concluded.
The Foundation plans to expand the Go Recycling initiative to more communities across Lagos and other African countries, reinforcing its mission of supporting sustainable enterprises and creating inclusive green jobs.
