Tucked in the city of Ghana is Blancomet Recycling Limited. Located in North Industrial Area, opposite Kasadjan Construction Limited. Blancomet recycles nonferrous scrap metals and used lead acid batteries. This is done by sorting, refining and then exporting these products to make money.
The company employs Ghana E-Waste Model (GEMOD); a model which develops a sustainable national e-waste management system. This system is intended to make e-waste re-usable to minimize environmental pollution.
Started in 2008, the company employed 250 people with 150 of those being casual staff in 2019.
GEMOD project was implemented by the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency and has an established and structured approach to e-waste management through education and publicity, collection, refurbishment, dismantling and sorting, safe disposal of hazardous components and export of recyclables in order to provide a solution to the unsustainable e-waste management in Ghana. The project therefore addressed issues around resource efficiency and cleaner production as well as waste management and electronic waste.
“SWITCH Africa Green introduced us to ways of enhancing our work, whereby we saved a lot of electricity and how to control the acid from the batteries we recycle,” says Eric Dagadu, the Managing Director of Blancomet Recycling Ltd.
In addressing water efficiency issues at the company, the project addressed the reuse of effluent from washing of e-waste plastic components (e.g. lead acid battery covers) which resulted in zero process water discharge. The company has been able to recover hazardous ULAB acid which is then reused by battery recharging points with some being sent to high schools for science practical lessons. Diversion of waste from landfill due to non-disposal of plastic components as a result of recycling and reuse has also been ensured. The company has improved energy efficiency through the installation and use of efficient lighting systems and air-conditioners, while reduction in the purchase of oxidized cables has been achieved.
“Blancomet has benefitted greatly from the SWITCH Africa programme in helping the community as whole. The green way of doing things is the way forward in a modern world, and Blancomet will continue to advise the community to embrace the programme so that we all become sustainable and live in a clean environment,” Eric adds.
There has been a 300% reduction in the cost of water while additional products such as acid, plastics and recovered components have led to additional revenue streams. An improvement in the quality of products due to elimination of contamination during dismantling has culminated into better retail prices, adding more revenues. There has been an elimination of shipping cost for certain products due to identification and matching in the local market.
There has been Improved working conditions for workers due to the elimination of risk in the workplace which has led to improved wellbeing. Due to an increase in revenue streams, workers have higher incomes. The company has also been able to improve its image by being associated with green practices. There has been access to niche markets due to sustainable consumption and production practices. The project has built capacity for the workers through the acquisition of skills with a third of the workforce being women because they pay more attention to skills acquisition, which is important for identifying and sorting high grade materials.
