Bilkisu Garba never imagined that discarded materials would define her career, let alone fuel a movement in sustainable architecture and job creation. Yet, today, as the founder of The Upcycle Architect (TUPA), she is proving that waste isn’t just an environmental problem but an economic opportunity waiting to be unlocked. BLESSING OBI, writes.
A Chance Encounter with Waste-Pickers
Bilkisu’s journey into sustainability began in university, where she took a course in Sustainable Architecture. However, it wasn’t until 2016—while renovating a three-bedroom bungalow—that she had an eye-opening experience.
“I saw scavengers sorting through construction waste, collecting discarded materials to resell. That moment changed everything. I realized that what we call ‘waste’ is still valuable—it just needs a second life.”
Intrigued, she started researching how upcycling could not only reduce environmental damage but also create jobs and boost local economies. That realization led to the birth of The Upcycle Architect.
Redefining Waste: From Scraps to Sustainable Goods
One of Bilkisu’s most innovative breakthroughs came when she started working with granite off-cuts—scraps from construction sites that would normally be discarded.
“We had over 200 square meters of waste granite from a construction project, all heading for disposal. I kept thinking: ‘This doesn’t make sense. We need to find a way to repurpose them.’”
That was the beginning of an upcycling revolution. In the last two years, TUPA has upcycled granite off-cuts into durable, aesthetically pleasing building materials for five major projects.
But beyond sustainability, her work has had a powerful economic impact.
Upcycling as a Tool for Job Creation
The upcycling movement doesn’t just benefit the environment, it creates economic opportunities for artisans, craftsmen, and small-scale entrepreneurs.
How TUPA is driving job creation:
Empowering Local Artisans: TUPA works with carpenters, masons, and welders, training them in upcycling techniques and providing them with income opportunities.
Creating Green Jobs: By repurposing waste, the company has built an ecosystem of workers specializing in material collection, processing, and product development.
Entrepreneurial Training: Through The Upcycle Architect Academy, Bilkisu equips individuals, especially women and young people with the skills to launch their own upcycling businesses. Supporting Informal Workers: By collaborating with waste pickers and recyclers, TUPA ensures that those at the bottom of the waste management chain also benefit financially.
“Upcycling isn’t just about reducing waste; it’s about creating a new economic model. We’re providing skills and jobs to people who never thought they could have a career in sustainability.”
The Power of Upcycling in the Economy
Beyond creating employment, upcycling has far-reaching benefits: Boosts Local Industries: Instead of relying on imported materials, upcycling makes use of readily available resources. Reduces Production Costs: Reusing materials cuts down expenses for builders and designers. Promotes Circular Economy: Instead of a ‘use-and-throw’ mindset, upcycling encourages sustainability and long-term resource efficiency.
“Upcycling encourages responsible consumption. It saves money, conserves resources, and supports small businesses. Right now, I’m upcycling mayonnaise jars for a client, and I’m loving every bit of the process!”
Sustainability Meets Social Impact
Through TUPA’s community-driven initiatives, Bilkisu is taking sustainability beyond business. In projects like The Karu Project, her team trained and empowered local women to repurpose waste into marketable products, giving them a source of income.
“We don’t just upcycle, we teach communities how to turn waste into wealth.”
Looking to the Future: The Rise of Upcycling Jobs
Bilkisu envisions a future where upcycling is a mainstream industry, creating thousands of jobs across multiple sectors: fashion, construction, design, and more.
“In the next decade, upcycling will be everywhere. With advancements in AI and 3D printing, material reuse will become even more efficient. We’re on the verge of a global shift toward sustainable industries.”
She believes that governments, businesses, and designers must collaborate to integrate upcycling into national economies, policy frameworks, and urban development plans.
Advice for Entrepreneurs & Architects
For those looking to make an impact through sustainability, Bilkisu offers five key lessons: Think beyond aesthetics, focus on durability, functionality, and economic value. Embrace innovation. Experiment with new upcycling techniques and business models. Collaborate. Work with artisans, communities, and industries to scale your ideas. Stay curious, Keep learning about sustainability, waste management, and global challenges. Lead with purpose. Design with the planet and people in mind.
A Future Where Waste Works for Us
Through The Upcycle Architect, Bilkisu Garba has demonstrated that waste isn’t just an environmental burden, it’s an untapped economic resource. By merging sustainability with job creation, she is proving that discarded scraps can fuel livelihoods, empower communities, and drive a new wave of green entrepreneurship.
Scaling Up: The Economic Potential of Upcycling on a National Scale
The success of Bilkisu’s work underscores a powerful truth: upcycling can be a major driver of economic transformation. If adopted at a larger scale, particularly by governments and big corporations, it has the potential to create millions of jobs, reduce unemployment, and build a more resilient economy.
Here’s how: Government-Backed Upcycling Programs for Job Creation
Governments can play a crucial role in mainstreaming upcycling into national development strategies by: Establishing Upcycling Hubs: Investing in dedicated centers where artisans, designers, and waste collectors can collaborate to turn discarded materials into valuable products. Funding Vocational Training: Implementing national programs to train unemployed youths in upcycling techniques, providing them with employable skills in sustainability, construction, and product design. Incentivizing Sustainable Businesses: Offering tax breaks, grants, or subsidies to companies that actively engage in upcycling, encouraging more businesses to explore waste-to-wealth innovations. Integrating Upcycling into Public Works Projects: Using recycled and upcycled materials in government housing projects, public infrastructure, and urban development initiatives to reduce costs and create jobs. By adopting these measures, governments can engage thousands of unemployed youths in meaningful work, equipping them with lifelong skills while addressing pressing environmental concerns.
Corporate Investments in Upcycling for Sustainable Profits. Big corporations, especially those in manufacturing, construction, and retail, have much to gain from integrating upcycling into their business models. By shifting towards circular economy principles, companies can: Lower Production Costs: Upcycling reduces dependence on raw materials, cutting down expenses on procurement and logistics. Create Green Jobs: By incorporating upcycling into their operations, companies can hire more workers to handle waste collection, material repurposing, and product innovation. Enhance Brand Reputation: Consumers are increasingly favoring sustainable brands. Corporations that invest in upcycling can strengthen their market presence and attract environmentally conscious customers. Unlock New Business Opportunities: The growing demand for eco-friendly products opens doors for new markets, from upcycled furniture and fashion to sustainable construction materials.
For example, if major real estate developers embraced Bilkisu’s model, they could repurpose waste materials from old buildings into affordable housing solutions, reducing both costs and environmental impact while creating thousands of skilled jobs in sustainable construction.
Similarly, if fast-fashion companies adopted large-scale fabric upcycling, they could reduce textile waste, lower production costs, and create more employment in the sustainable fashion sector.
Engaging Unemployed Youths in a Thriving Green Economy
Africa, like many other parts of the world, faces a youth unemployment crisis. However, upcycling provides a unique opportunity to turn waste into work, giving young people practical skills and economic independence.
With proper training and investment, unemployed youths can become: Sustainable Entrepreneurs: Launching their own upcycling businesses, from eco-friendly furniture to repurposed fashion and home décor. Green Construction Workers: Learning how to transform discarded building materials into affordable housing solutions. Artisan Innovators: Crafting high-value products from everyday waste, catering to both local and international markets. Waste Management Experts: Leading initiatives to collect, sort, and process discarded materials for commercial reuse.
Bilkisu’s Upcycle Architect Academy is already training individuals in environmental sustainability and entrepreneurship. Imagine the impact if this kind of initiative was scaled across multiple regions with government and corporate backing!
Upcycling: The Future of Sustainable Development and Economic Growth
The world is shifting toward a circular economy, where waste is no longer discarded but repurposed into new products. Countries that embrace upcycling today will position themselves as global leaders in sustainable innovation, attracting investors and creating long-term economic growth.
Bilkisu Garba’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when creativity meets sustainability. But her story is just the beginning. If governments, corporations, and communities come together to invest in upcycling, the impact will be far-reaching, boosting economies, protecting the environment, and providing dignified jobs for millions.
In a world struggling with waste pollution, climate change, and economic inequality, upcycling presents a practical, profitable, and sustainable solution. The question is no longer if we should embrace upcycling—it’s how soon we can start making it a mainstream economic driver.
Waste isn’t just something to throw away, it’s an opportunity waiting to be unlocked.
