Plastic pollution remains a significant environmental challenge across Abuja and Nigeria at large, exacerbated by inadequate waste collection systems, low community participation, and limited awareness of proper recycling practices.
Uncollected plastics accumulate in streets, drains, and waterways, contributing to flooding, health hazards, and environmental degradation.
For youth and low-income groups, these challenges are also economic, without structured incentives, collecting and recycling plastic rarely generates meaningful income, leaving potential livelihoods untapped.
In this edition of Techparley’s Drive100, we spotlight Triple R Recycling Limited, founded by Abdullahi Suleiman, a startup that is redefining waste management in Abuja by combining technology, environmental impact, and economic empowerment.
The Problem Triple R Recycling is Solving
Triple R Recycling addresses plastic pollution through a dual approach which include; environmental remediation and economic empowerment.
Founder Abdullahi Suleiman explains, “We provide convenient recycling options and reward individuals for collecting plastic waste, creating both environmental impact and income opportunities.”
The startup focuses on filling critical gaps, such as lack of awareness, insufficient collection infrastructure, and limited economic opportunities for youth and low-income residents.
By directly linking participation in waste collection to financial incentives, Triple R Recycling transforms a longstanding social and environmental challenge into a source of income while cultivating sustainable behavior across communities.
How Triple R Recycling is Doing It
Triple R Recycling has developed an organized system for collecting, sorting, and baling plastic waste before delivering it to manufacturers.
The platform incentivizes collection through a cash reward system, encouraging consistent participation and community engagement.
Suleiman notes, “Through education and partnerships with recycling companies, we ensure proper processing and long-term impact.”
This approach goes beyond simple collection as residents understand the environmental consequences of plastic waste, are compensated for their efforts, and become active participants in a structured recycling ecosystem.
The integration of a scheduling website and mobile app allows users to easily coordinate pickups, track their contributions, and remain engaged with the initiative, thereby making waste management systematic, measurable, and accessible.
Key Features & Benefits of Participation
Triple R Recycling’s strategy combines technology, human-centered incentives, and educational outreach to drive impact. These include:
Reward System: Residents earn money based on the amount of plastic collected, translating environmental action into direct economic gain. This incentive ensures sustained participation and encourages community-wide engagement.
Technology Integration: The website allows users to schedule waste pickups, while a mobile app in partnership with Wecyclers tracks collection, inventory, and logistics, creating transparency and operational efficiency.
Education & Awareness Campaigns: Community-focused programs, led by trained outreach officers, teach residents about the environmental and economic value of recycling, ensuring that awareness drives adoption and behavior change.
The benefits are multi-layered. It contains improved environmental conditions, income generation for vulnerable populations, strengthened community awareness, and long-term sustainability of waste management practices.
As Suleiman explains, “We have built a loyal community of volunteers and participants, attracted local media attention, and gained recognition from environmental and youth leadership platforms,” demonstrating that impact extends beyond immediate collection metrics.
How the Startup Differ / Unique Value Proposition
Triple R Recycling’s edge lies in its holistic model that merges social, environmental, and economic impact. Unlike traditional waste collectors or private firms operating in Abuja, the startup:
Provides financial incentives directly tied to collection efforts, motivating consistent participation.
Integrates technology to coordinate collections, track inventory, and streamline logistics.
Ensures plastics are properly recycled through verified processing partnerships.
By addressing not only environmental challenges but also economic gaps for youth and low-income groups, Triple R Recycling positions itself as more than a recycling company, it is a platform for community empowerment, behavioral change, and measurable impact.
Progress So Far and Traction
Since inception, Triple R Recycling has:
- Collected and properly recycled over 300,000 kilograms of plastic, demonstrating both scale and community engagement.
- Launched a website and mobile app to schedule pickups and monitor collection progress, streamlining participation.
- Built partnerships with schools, NGOs, and local organizations, amplifying awareness and engagement.
- Implemented a cash reward system, ensuring incentives drive sustained participation and trust in the program.
These milestones highlight both operational maturity and community trust, with the startup gaining recognition in local media and environmental platforms for its measurable contributions to waste reduction and youth empowerment.
Meet the Team Behind Triple R Recycling
Abdullahi Suleiman (MD & CEO): Leads strategy, operations, and partnerships. Brings experience in environmental advocacy and community mobilization, having previously coordinated youth programs and led school-based recycling initiatives.
Suleiman Fauziyya (Head of Operations): Manages daily collection, logistics, and recycling processes. Experienced in supply chain management and waste management systems.
Michael Adigam (Head of Partnerships): Oversees collaborations with businesses, government agencies, and NGOs. Skilled in project management and stakeholder engagement.
Zaynab Okunola (Community Outreach and Research Officer): Drives education campaigns, volunteer mobilization, and sustainability research. Experienced in public engagement and community development.
Their combined expertise in environmental sustainability, youth engagement, operations, and partnerships enables the team to execute both immediate collection strategies and long-term community impact.
Challenges and How They are Overcoming Them
Triple R Recycling faces two significant hurdles:
Awareness and Trust: Many communities had little knowledge of or interest in proper recycling.
To overcome this, the team leads with education campaigns, community engagement, and personal example to illustrate the environmental and economic benefits of participation.
Resource Limitations: Limited funding and logistical resources initially constrained operations.
The team has addressed this through partnerships with local organizations, volunteers, and technology platforms to expand reach and operational efficiency.
Suleiman emphasizes, “We have leveraged partnerships with local organizations, youth groups, and volunteers, creating a network of support that strengthens our reach and impact.”
Vision and Goals for the Future
6–12 Months: Scale the model nationwide and establish multiple collection hubs across all states. Expand educational campaigns to raise awareness about sustainable waste practices.
2–5 Years: Launch initiatives focused on youth empowerment, skills development, and climate action. Build a sustainable business model that integrates economic and environmental objectives.
Establish international partnerships to replicate the model in other neighbor8ng African countries, amplifying social and environmental impact.
Talking Points
Triple R Recycling demonstrates a sophisticated and holistic approach to environmental challenges in Abuja, Nigeria.
By merging technology, incentives, and education, the startup turns plastic collection into both a community-driven and economically viable activity. Its impact extends beyond waste reduction, but fosters awareness, empowers youth, and provides measurable income opportunities.
Challenges such as scaling, infrastructure limitations, and sustaining participation are significant but not insurmountable, given the team’s strategic partnerships and community engagement focus.
Triple R Recycling stands as a replicable model for Africa, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and social entrepreneurship can be mutually reinforcing.
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