How A Ghanaian Man Is Building Affordable Homes With Waste Plastics!

Summary

In this inspiring video, Juana Maya showcases Nelson Watty, a young Ghanaian innovator who is combating plastic pollution by recycling waste into pavement blocks and affordable housing. His company, Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited, aims to provide homes for low-income families using sustainable materials. Despite initial skepticism, Watty's dedication has led to the creation of a fully functional house made from plastic, demonstrating the potential for Africa's youth to innovate and solve local problems with local resources.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The video celebrates African excellence by showcasing the innovative work of a young Ghanaian entrepreneur.
• 🏡 Nelson Watty, the founder and CEO of Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited, has developed a method to recycle plastic waste into pavement blocks and affordable housing materials.
• 🔄 Nelson's initiative not only addresses the issue of plastic pollution but also contributes to solving housing, educational, and employment issues in Ghana.
• 🏭 The factory employs 64 direct workers and over 300 indirect workers, many of whom are women collecting plastic waste from the environment.
• 💡 Nelson's journey started at a young age, working in a Chinese company's recycling department, which sparked his interest in working with plastics.
• 🏢 The company's vision is to enable every Ghanaian, especially those with low incomes, to own a house, with the cost of a one-bedroom house being around 60,000 Ghanaian cedis.
• 🔩 Nelson has faced numerous challenges, including skepticism and logistical hurdles, but his determination and innovation have led to the successful construction of a plastic-waste house.
• ♻️ The technology used in the production process is environmentally friendly, with no harmful fumes emitted during the manufacturing of the building materials.
• 🌐 Nelson's story is a testament to the potential for Africa to lead in sustainable innovation and to create solutions from local resources, challenging the mindset that imported goods are superior.
• 🚀 Looking ahead, Nelson aims to expand his operations and become one of the top recyclers in the world, with plans to introduce new products like roofing sheets and refrigerators made from recycled plastic.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The main theme of the video is celebrating African excellence by showcasing the innovative work of a young Ghanaian who recycles plastic into pavement blocks and affordable housing.

Who is the young Ghanaian entrepreneur featured in the video?

The young Ghanaian entrepreneur featured in the video is Nelson Watty, the founder and CEO of Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited.

What problem is Nelson Watty addressing with his business?

Nelson Watty is addressing the problem of plastic waste pollution and housing shortages in Ghana by recycling plastics into construction materials for affordable housing.

How did Nelson Watty get started in the recycling business?

Nelson Watty got started in the recycling business by working at a Chinese company at the age of 13, where he gained experience in the recycling department. Later, he used the money from a deal to set up his own factory.

What are the products made by Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited?

Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited produces pavement blocks, lego bricks for affordable housing, and is also working on introducing roofing sheets made from recycled plastic.

How much does it cost to build a house with Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited's materials?

The cost to build a one-bedroom house with Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited's materials, including the roof and doors, is 60,000 Ghanaian Cedis, and with interior finishing, it's 90,000 Ghanaian Cedis.

What is the vision of Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited?

The vision of Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited is to see every Ghanaian, especially those with low incomes, own a house built with their recycled plastic materials.

How does Nelson Watty's solution address multiple problems in Ghana?

Nelson Watty's solution addresses the issues of plastic waste, housing shortages, and unemployment by recycling plastics into construction materials, creating affordable housing, and providing job opportunities.

What challenges did Nelson Watty face when he started his venture?

Nelson Watty faced challenges such as skepticism from people who doubted the feasibility of building houses with plastic, and financial challenges due to the high costs of research and development.

What is the future goal for Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited?

The future goal for Nel Plus Eco Ghana Limited is to become one of the top recyclers in the world, help clean up plastic waste in Ghana, and provide affordable housing solutions for low-income Ghanaians.

How does Nelson Watty view the potential of Africa and its youth?

Nelson Watty believes that Africa is the future and that its youth can achieve success on the continent without needing to go abroad. He emphasizes the importance of a change in mindset and supporting local products and innovations.