FREEE Recycle, a tyre waste recycling and rubber manufacturing company, has highlighted the significant untapped potential in the waste recycling sector, announcing its intention to recycle two million tyres each year. The firm noted that the value of waste tyres imported into Nigeria in 2023 was approximately N108 billion.
In recognition of World Cleanup Day 2024, FREEE Recycle reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s environmental sustainability through innovative recycling solutions and contributions to the circular economy.
At a media briefing in Lagos, Managing Director Ifedolapo Runsewe emphasized that the company was established to tackle the environmental hazards posed by waste tyres in Nigeria. She stated, “We saw an opportunity to transform this challenge into a solution. Today, as pioneers in the tyre waste management industry, we have contributed to the country’s economic and employment growth. Our operations align with 12 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing the extensive impact of our integrated recycling and manufacturing model.”
Since its inception, FREEE Recycle has successfully recycled over 350,000 tyres, but it aims to significantly increase that number. Runsewe remarked, “The waste recycling sector has huge potential, and we are not tapping into it as much as we should.”
Dumebi Okeke, Team Lead for Sustainability & Innovation at FREEE Recycle, pointed out that the tyre recycling industry in the U.S. alone is valued at about 12 billion tonnes. “When you compare the population of the U.S. to Nigeria, there is a vast potential for tyre recycling to contribute to Nigeria’s GDP and sustainable growth,” she added.