Turning Trash into Treasure: The Inspiring Journey of Tola Adeoye

In the bustling and rustic roofs city of Ibadan, where waste clogs the streets and environmental degradation poses a serious threat, one man’s vision is turning the tide

In the ancient city of Ibadan, Nigeria, amidst the challenges of waste management and environmental hygiene, a young man took it upon himself to make a difference.

In 2020, amidst the uncertainties brought by the global pandemic, he embarked on a remarkable journey of entrepreneurship, establishing a waste recycling business that not only tackled environmental issues but also generated employment opportunities for the youth in his community.

Ibadan, Nigeria’s third-largest city, grapples with a significant waste management crisis. According to UNEP, Ibadan generates approximately 1,500 tons of waste daily, yet only about 40% of this waste is collected and processed.

The inefficiency in waste collection and disposal has led to overflowing dumpsites, environmental pollution, and increased health risks for residents. In densely populated areas, inadequate waste management exacerbates public health issues, contributing to the spread of diseases such as cholera and malaria.

In a bid to reverse the ugly trend of poor waste management and environmental degradation, Tola Adeoye’s Adto Recycling pioneered sound initiatives through strategies rooted in strong community engagement and education, innovative recycling processes, partnerships with local youths to drive awareness and tech-based collection and processing methods.

Tola Adeoye is the brain behind this innovative venture. With a passion for sustainability and a determination to address the pressing issue of waste management, plastic pollution and environmental sustainability in Ibadan, he set out to create a business model that would not only be profitable but also make a positive impact on the environment.

His journey began with humble beginnings. Armed with little more than determination and a vision, he started by collecting recyclable materials from households and businesses across the city. Initially, he faced skepticism and challenges, but he persevered, knowing that his mission was vital for the well-being of his community and the planet.

Since 2020, Adeoye’s initiative has recycled over 300 tons of waste and created employment opportunities for a good number of local youths in Ibadan.

As his operations expanded, Tola invested in the necessary infrastructure for sorting, processing, and recycling various types of waste, including plastics, paper, glass, and metals. He leveraged technology to streamline his processes, making his operations more efficient and scalable.

One of the most significant achievements of his business was the employment opportunities it created for the youths in Ibadan. Recognizing the high unemployment rate among young people in the city, Tola made it a priority to hire and train local youths to work in various roles within his organization. From waste collection and sorting to administrative tasks and marketing, these young employees became integral to the success of the business while gaining valuable skills and experience.

Reacting to Tola Adeoye’s visionary exploits in the sphere of waste management, recycling and environmental sustainability, the Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Abiodun Oni, noted that ‘ Tola Adeoye’s Adto Recycling is helping the state to solve a critical mass of its waste management problems and creating viable employment opportunities for the youths’’.

Adto Recycling continues to drive new frontiers in recycling and wealth creation.
In addition, Tola was not content with merely running a profitable enterprise, he forged ahead with new initiatives to further drive his vision.

He started the ‘Cleaner Ibadan’ Initiative targeted at amplifying the campaign for effective waste management and innovative recycling as prerequisites for a sustainable future in the city. He was determined to raise awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability and the benefits of recycling within his community.