Artisans in Bauchi are transforming discarded aluminium zinc into sieves and other household items, providing a crucial source of income for over 40 local craftsmen while addressing environmental challenges through recycling. The industry supports families and empowers young people, with profits rising significantly during harvest seasons when demand peaks.
In the bustling streets of Muda-Lawal market, Bauchi, a unique industry has taken root. An industry that combines tradition, resourcefulness and a quiet but vital contribution to environmental sustainability. Artisans here are turning discarded aluminium and zinc roofing sheets into essential domestic items like pots, sieves and basins.
This small yet thriving sector not only sustains livelihoods but also offers a creative solution to the challenges posed by climate change.
Recycling aluminium and zinc plays a vital but often overlooked role in environmental sustainability and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy and conserving natural resources. It also provides a means of livelihood for youths.
Data indicates using steel scrap reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 58%, and recycling aluminium can reduce emissions by up to 95%. By diverting metals from traditional manufacturing, MR contributes to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change, and improve air quality.
At the heart of this industry is 34-year-old Hamisu Abubakar, a seasoned sieve maker who has been in the business for more than a decade. With a determined glint in his eyes, Hamisu recalls how it all started.
“I began hawking sieves as a child,” he says. “At first, it was just for my parents, going door-to-door in the neighbourhood. Later, I learned how to make them myself.”
Now, Hamisu produces sieves worth over N200,000 weekly and distributes them across several northern states, including Jos, Kaduna, Yobe, and Kano. His workshop is always buzzing with activity, and he currently trains about four apprentices.
The business has become his lifeline, and its success allowed him to build a home and provide for his wife and two children.
“I make about N15,000 profit every week,” he explains with pride. “This business has given me everything. I would never leave it for a government job.”
Hamisu’s story reflects that of many artisans in Bauchi, where about 40 craftsmen work in the sieve-making industry. The Chairman of Bauchi Sieve Producers Association, Muhammadu Rabi’u, says the business is a crucial source of income for local artisans.
“This is our livelihood,” Rabi’u tod WikkiTimes. “But sometimes, we run out of raw materials during the peak sales periods, especially during harvest seasons when demand for sieves skyrockets.”
In northern Nigeria, sieves are indispensable during harvest periods, used by women to sieve powdered grains. But the artisans face a pressing challenge—finding enough discarded aluminium zinc to meet the growing demand.
Recycling discarded zinc not only supports the industry but also helps the environment. As global conversations around climate change intensify, the work of these artisans is a small yet significant example of how communities are adapting to environmental challenges.
For 21-year-old Uzairu Yusuf, sieve-making is more than just a business; it’s a path to self-reliance.
“I’ve been in this business for about eight years. I completed my diploma in social development, but I’ve always depended on sieve making to pay my school fees,” he said.
Every day, Uzairu earns around N4,000 from his craft. He dreams of expanding his business and training others, just as he was trained.
To him, the work is not only profitable but also a skill that empowers young people to become financially independent.
“Many people of my age are struggling to find jobs,” Uzairu remarks. “But I have my business, and I’m proud of it.”
Beyond economic survival, there’s a broader environmental significance to the work of Hamisu, Uzairu, and others like them. By recycling discarded zinc, they are reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
In a world where climate change threatens ecosystems and livelihoods, local industries like this one play a crucial role in resource conservation.
Artisans in Bauchi may not speak the language of climate policy, but their actions are aligned with global environmental goals. They recycle materials that would otherwise contribute to pollution, and in doing so, they reduce the demand for new aluminium mining, which is energy-intensive and environmentally harmful.
According to environmental experts, industries like this one help reduce the carbon footprint. Recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy required to produce new aluminium from raw materials.
In this sense, the work being done in Bauchi is not just about earning a living—it’s part of a larger solution to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Abdullahi Ibrahim, a 45-year-old artisan, has been making sieves for years. Like Hamisu and Uzairu, Abdullahi relies on the trade to support his family. His workshop, tucked away in a busy part of the market, is a constant hum of activity, especially during harvest season.
“This is my livelihood,” Abdullahi says. “Once I open for business daily, I make enough profit to sustain my family. During harvest, business is even more profitable.”
The work is demanding for Abdullahi, but the returns are worth it. His craft feeds his family and connects him to a long tradition of craftsmanship that goes back generations.
“Sieve-making is part of who we are here,” he adds. “It’s more than just a job.”
Despite the success many artisans have found in this industry, there are challenges. Muhammadu Rabi’u highlights the difficulty in sourcing raw materials during busy periods.
“We sometimes run out of zinc,” Rabi’u explains. “The demand for sieves rises, especially during the farming season, but it’s hard to keep up when we can’t find enough materials to work with.”
This challenge reflects a larger issue—access to sustainable resources. As the effects of climate change worsen, industries that rely on recycling may face shortages as waste materials become harder to come by. Yet, these same industries are vital to reducing waste and conserving natural resources.
Despite the challenges, the artisans in Bauchi are optimistic about the future. Hamisu, for one, is committed to growing his business and helping others do the same. He dreams of expanding his distribution network and bringing more young people into the trade.
“I have four apprentices now, but I want to train even more,” Hamisu says. “There’s so much potential in this business.”
Uzairu, too, sees a bright future for sieve-making in Bauchi. His goal is to combine his education with his business to create a more structured enterprise that can support more young people.
“I want to be an example to others,” Uzairu says. “This business has helped me, and I know it can help others, too.”
As climate change continues to impact communities around the world, the story of Bauchi’s sieve makers serves as a reminder of the power of local ingenuity.
These artisans are not only crafting essential tools for daily life but also playing a quiet role in environmental conservation. In a time of global uncertainty, their work offers a glimpse of hope—a way forward through hard work, creativity, and sustainability.
Idris Kamal Ibrahim is a dedicated reporter with WikkiTimes, specialising in fact-checking, investigative journalism, and solutions-focused reporting. His commitment to uncovering the truth and addressing societal issues in Northern Nigeria has earned him several prestigious journalism fellowships, highlighting his expertise and impact in the field.
