Tapping into the Waste to Wealth Initiative of Water Hyacinth-based Fibre

Abstract

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), being the world's most problematic aquatic weeds, has great opportunity for implementing waste to wealth initiatives in most affected regions like; Philippines, India, Thailand, China, Indonesia and Nigeria is not left out. Despite its negative impact on water bodies, biodiversity, and socio-economic activities, this invasive plant holds unexploited potential as a valuable raw material for fibre production as some popular plant fibres are going into extinction now replacing with synthetic fibres, especially in Nigeria. Nigeria, where water hyacinth infestation has plagued water bodies since 1984, has tried several control measures in eradicating the weed, but all possible effort has remain abortive. Therefore tapping into this waste to wealth initiative offers a multifaceted solution, provides an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical control methods, reduces unemployment through skill development and job creation, and enhances local economic activities. Exploiting water hyacinth as a natural resource for fibre-based products, can transform Nigeria’s ecological burden into a driver of sustainable development, poverty alleviation. Samples of water hyacinth for this research will be collected from Badagry (Lagos), Igbokoda (Ondo), Ejinrin (Lagos) and Makun (Ogun) in the South-western Nigeria. The study will investigate the physio-mechanical property (i.e. tensile strength) of water hyacinth stalk suitable for weaving creative and other interior design items. This paper not only addresses the environmental challenge of water hyacinth proliferation but simultaneously creates employment opportunities, generates income for local communities, and promotes sustainable resource utilization.