Alex Rose-Innes
Nelson Boateng’s company, Nelplast Ltd, processes plastic waste and turns it into building bricks. It is his way of making a difference in Ghana, his country, by turning his business from producing plastic products to recycling it.
With tonnes of waste ending up in landfills, in sewage systems, clogging up drainages, this entrepreneur realised that not only humans, but also aquatic biodiversity is adversely affected.
Plastic waste continues to grow
This situation continues to be a huge problem in especially developing countries and other Third World states across the world. Despite certain African governments rolling out various initiatives to combat the problem, it persists and Ghana is no different. Many entrepreneurs on the continent are tackling the problem at micro-level, but plastic waste is growing faster that they can combat this scourge.
Ghana’s government had also now imposed a one percent sanitation levy to generate additional revenue to deal with sanitation problems in the capital city, Accra and other cities where flash floods had already claimed innocent lives as the drainage systems are blocked by plastic waste.
Boateng and his team not only builds homes and churches with recycled plastic bricks, but also use it for paving and to repair roads, just as concrete is usually used and at a fraction of the price. Just over 13 000 kilograms of plastic waste is needed to build a home and this amount of plastic is mostly collected from gutters and beaches. His business has set Ghana on an eco-friendly future with others following in his footsteps.
Changing the future of recycling
As a leader and mentor, Nelson is a knowledgeable and passionate African, self-motivated and results-driven. With a Diploma in Network Engineering and numerous certificates obtained from reputable institutions, he is well trained in global tendencies in plastic recycling and manufacturing. His more than 20 years in the business would, without a doubt, see him attain his dream for his company to recycle 70% of plastics waste daily generated by Ghana into useful products.
Nelson is a force for good with his vision to change the plastic packaging and recycling industry, simultaneously improving sanitation needs and maintaining a strong commitment to the environment. As he grows his team, he also provides sustainable incomes and with plans to increase products and solutions, his expertise in addressing health hazards, can only benefit Ghana, the African continent and the Planet in the long run.
On his company’s website, this change-maker is seen shaking hands with Prince Charles of Britain, a proponent of a greener future himself. In future, the list of bio-degradable plastic products will grow with Nelson at the helm of his business which also now consults in setting up recycling companies.
