FREEE Recycle marks five years of turning waste into value, driving Nigeria’s circular economy

NIGERIA – Integrated waste recycling and manufacturing company FREEE Recycle Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s circular economy by transforming waste into value, positioning recycling as a cornerstone of environmental sustainability and a low-carbon future.

Speaking at the company’s fifth-anniversary celebration in Lagos, FREEE Recycle revealed that it has recycled over 250,000 tyres, produced 660 metric tonnes of crumb rubber, and cut carbon emissions by more than 8,000 tonnes since inception.

Beyond these milestones, the company highlighted its broader impact in creating jobs, building partnerships, and inspiring a culture of sustainability across Nigeria’s recycling value chain.

Held under the theme “From Waste to Heritage: Celebrating Five Years of Impact,” the milestone event also featured the unveiling of an art exhibition showcasing works from FREEE’s maiden Art Residency Programme, titled “Echoes of Reclamation: Rebuilding Heritage from Waste.”

The five-week residency brought together young artists from tertiary institutions across Nigeria to reimagine discarded materials and transform waste into cultural value.

The initiative reflects FREEE Recycle’s mission to merge artistic creativity with circular economy solutions, reinforcing that sustainability can also be a driver of cultural innovation.

The exhibition featured sculptures and mixed-media installations crafted from recycled tyre rubber.

Proceeds from the art sales will go toward providing school sandals for children in underserved communities through the FREEE Impact Foundation, extending the company’s message of transformation from art spaces to classrooms across Nigeria.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, Ifedolapo Runsewe, Managing Director of FREEE Recycle Limited, reaffirmed the firm’s vision for the next phase of its growth.

“Our journey began five years ago with a simple belief, that waste could be transformed into value, and creativity could drive sustainability,” she said.

“Recognizing that recycling alone wasn’t enough, we developed our Integrated Recycling and Manufacturing (IRM) model, a zero-waste system that turns every part of a tyre into something useful.

“The next phase of our journey will deepen investments in innovation, community impact, and creative engagement, building a bridge between sustainability and culture that defines a new legacy for Africa.”

Commending FREEE Recycle’s leadership, Opeyemi Oriniowo, Policy Adviser, Economic Affairs and Public Diplomacy Officer at the Netherlands Consulate in Lagos, praised the company’s innovation in advancing Nigeria’s circular economy.

“What we see here today is more than recycling, it is innovation, creativity, and purpose coming together. FREEE’s work in turning waste tyres into new products shows what’s possible when vision meets collaboration,” he said.

Reflecting on the residency, Gift Akwajie, one of the participating artists, expressed gratitude for the experience.

“Sustainability and climate change are causes very close to my heart. Being part of this residency allowed me to explore them through art meaningfully. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity — I would do it all over again,” she said.

FREEE Recycle’s fifth anniversary not only celebrates its achievements but also underscores the growing potential of Nigeria’s circular economy, one where waste becomes a resource, innovation fuels progress, and sustainability becomes part of national heritage.

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