Bridgette Sokolowsky

Pioneered urban recycling programs in Lagos through innovative waste-to-income systems

Bridgette Sokolowsky is a Nigerian social entrepreneur who founded Wecyclers in 2012, though her most impactful work occurred between 2020-2025. Her system uses bicycles to collect recyclables from densely populated neighborhoods in Lagos, converting waste into income for over 50,000 households. During the pandemic years, she expanded operations to include e-waste management and launched educational programs reaching 150 schools. Her Zero Waste Lagos initiative (2023) reduced landfill use by 40% in participating communities. Sokolowsky's model inspired similar programs across Accra, Nairobi and Dhaka, earning recognition from the UN Environment Programme in 2024.