FREEE Recycle and RUWES join forces to convert recycled aerosol waste into liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), promoting clean cooking fuel access for women in rural Nigeria

FREEE Recycle Limited and the Rural Women Energy Security Initiative Ltd (RUWES) have teamed up to convert recycled aerosol waste into clean cooking fuel for women living in rural and peri-urban communities across Nigeria.

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The partnership centres on distributing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) recovered from Nigeria’s first aerosol recycling plant, a groundbreaking initiative developed by FREEE Recycle in collaboration with DeSpray Environmental.

Under the agreement, FREEE Recycle will supply LPG derived from aerosol waste, while RUWES will utilise its extensive nationwide network of women-led groups to ensure effective distribution and adoption of this clean energy source in underserved areas.

The collaboration also includes policy advocacy and capacity-building programmes aimed at empowering women to actively participate in clean energy and environmental management efforts.

Speaking on the partnership, FREEE Recycle’s Managing Director, Ifedolapo Runsewe, emphasised the company’s commitment to transforming waste into sustainable energy solutions.

“At FREEE Recycle, we are driven by the conviction that waste can be transformed into real solutions for people and the planet. This partnership with RUWES allows us to close the loop, recovering gas from aerosol waste and redirecting it to meet the pressing energy needs of women and families in underserved communities,” Runsewe said.

She highlighted that the initiative not only fosters a circular economy but also promotes gender inclusion by positioning women as key players in sustainable development.

RUWES’ Head of Secretariat, Mrs. Jumaima Ella, noted that the partnership aligns perfectly with the organisation’s mission to expand clean energy access and empower women through entrepreneurship.

“We’re a self-help, women-led NGO with over two million members across Nigeria. We empower women to demand increased access to clean energy products through our innovative Gender Social Enterprise Model. By collaborating with FREEE Recycle, we’re advancing our shared vision of a sustainable future and promoting energy security for women and families in underserved communities,” she explained.

This initiative addresses one of Nigeria’s most urgent public health challenges — the widespread use of firewood and other unsafe fuels for cooking, which expose women and children to harmful smoke.

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According to the World Bank, over 98,000 Nigerian women die annually from smoke inhalation related to cooking with firewood, underscoring the critical need for cleaner energy alternatives.