The European Union Delegation in collaboration with Innovation SL, on Wednesday, organized a Pitch Night to hear from entrepreneurs sustainable commercial solutions to Sierra Leone’s single-use plastic problem.
The event which was held at the office of the European Union Delegation at Leicester Peak in Freetown was part of EU Climate Diplomacy Week and EU Green Week on the theme of nature and biodiversity.
According to the rules of pitch night, each of the three entrepreneurs had five minutes to pitch their ideas.
The wining came from John Sowa Koroma of Craftbee Fashion World. Koroma’s idea suggests that single use plastic would be replaced with beautifully designed fabric bags that could be used for shopping, as covers and other purposes.
In justifying his idea, he said the bags made out of fabric cotton are durable, washable, reusable, environmentally friendly and biodegradable, adding that fabric materials also reduce environment risk when compared to plastics, and are better.
The event was held on Thursday at the office of the European delegation Leicester Peak. It aimed at finding alternatives to single use plastics in Sierra Leone.
Five judges decided on the winner and two contestants, Alhassan Sesay and Kissima kamara were given the opportunity to illustrate their concept of their innovation to convince the judges.
The second contestant, Alhassan Sesay, presented an idea to convince the judges that by the use of a machine he intends transforming seaweeds or rice husk into reusable plastics.
Sesay added that for him to implement his project, he would need 3, 000 British pounds to purchase the machine that could do the job.
The Third pitcher Kissima Kamara displayed bags made out of raffia; cups beautifully carved from cane sticks and coconuts shells.
He said plastic cups are not durable and are most times washed ashore the beaches across the country. He explained that cups made out of cane sticks could replace plastic cups.
Head of the EU delegation, Ambassador Tom Vens said that the EU has adopted a directive which introduces further restrictions on certain single-use plastic product in the country, and one of the main purposes is to bring out the best innovation to reduce the amount of plastic waste in beaches and the environment.
“Under the new directives single-use plastic plate, cutleries, straws, balloons sticks and cotton buds would be banned by 2021,” Ambassador Vens added.
He mentioned that marine plastic pollution in particular has increased tenfold worldwide since 1980, adding that scientist predict that the next 10 years are critical.
“The strategy for plastic stresses the need to discourage the landfilling of plastics and underlines that effective waste management system are key to avoiding littering and ensuring that collected waste finds its way to proper treatment,” Vens said.
By George M.O. Williams
16/10/2020. ISSUE NO: 7932