People & Lifestyle
The Bus Shelter Proof-of-concept Project launched by Mckingtorch Africa
McKingtorch Africa, an environmental sustainability company, is set to launch its newest creation; a bus shelter proof-of concept project.
The installation is made from recycled plastic waste beams, chale wote waste recovered from the Sakumono Might Beach, used car tires, used gallons, plastic waste bottle tops and burnt clay bricks, is set to be launched on Thursday, February 3.
The project is in partnership with MCKINGTORCH Africa, Geodrill Ghana, Ayawaso Wougon Municipal Assembly, Academic City University College, Pyramid Recycling, Caveman Watches, AB Solar, and Yielding Accomplished African Women.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The general aim of this project is to explore the use of plastic beams innovation as a viable alternative for wood and other materials for construction.
The specific objectives are;
1. Design, Fabricate and Install a sustainable public space structure that people can experience
2. Promote further research and investigations into plastic waste innovations in Ghana
3. Discover how these materials will respond to adverse weather conditions and their durability
4. Promote Public-Private partnership in pursuing sustainable plastic waste recycling innovation programs
5. Showcase recycling innovations as we change the narrative for Ghana and Africa
6. Explore sustainable ways of keeping plastic waste out of the environment
About McKingtorch Africa
Mckingtorch Africa is a registered social enterprise in the environmental sustainability and sanitation space. Mckingtorch Africa is into recycling, upcycling, advocacy on environmental sanitation and plastic pollution, community and beach cleanups, mentoring and training for youth on creating solutions from waste, plastic waste art exhibitions and sales of products and arts from plastic waste.
Mckingtorch Africa has collected over 200,000 plastic waste bottles from homes, offices and the streets of Accra, employed 3 people and engages over 200 volunteers in Ghana and on the African continent. Mckingtorch Africa has represented Ghana at high profile events and exhibitions including the Netherlands’ Embassy Fuse 2.0 Cultural Exchange Program, Global Forest Alliance Conference in Ghana, Ghana Petroleum Conference, West African Mining Conference and Exhibition, British Council Social Enterprise Exhibition, Norwegian Embassy Plastic Pollution Exhibition, private Plastic waste exhibition in honour of H.R.H. Prince Charles, Australian Day Celebrations.
The company has also been involved in public place installations including installing a 10,000 plastic waste bottles fence at Ofankor Barrier, a major intersection in Accra, Rubbish Bin installation at Dzorwulu Traffic Light Bus Stop, installation of 25 flower pots with over 2000 bottles with potted plants also at Ofankor Barrier, and installation of a 430 plastic waste bottles Christmas tree for the British High Commission for their Christmas Carols event and British International School. The company has also hosted and mentored students from American International School, Methodist Girls Senior High School from the Eastern Region and visited Echoing Hills Special Needs School in Madina to create with the kids from plastic waste. Mckingtorch Africa has also partnered with War Against Poor Sanitation Ghana (WAPSGH) on beach and community cleanups in 2018 and partnered with Trashy Bags, Ezov Ghana and Novpress Express on other projects.
Mckingtorch Africa makes sandals, rubbish bins, flower pots, wall artworks, laundry baskets, bracelets and other products from plastic waste and has exported some of its products to 7 countries including the U.K., Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Mckingtorch Africa is benefiting from capacity building support from Ghana Climate Innovation Center situated on Ashesi University Campus as we work to create more sustainable outlets for plastic waste. We look into the future with hope, a future of sustainable communities and cities in Africa safe enough for the youth, women and children to live their dreams.
