LAWMA LAUNCHES LAGOS RECYCLE INITIATIVE

… To Deploy Latest Technology for Waste Recycling

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has launched Lagos Recycle programme geared towards tackling the challenge of plastic pollution, through recycling and waste management reward system for residents of the State.

Speaking at the event held at the Authority’s Head Office, Ijora-Olopa, on Wednesday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, noted that the Lagos Recycle Initiative was a smart waste management approach, which would go a long way in helping the government achieve its goal of establishing a Cleaner Lagos.

He stated that having a solid recycling structure was strategic and critical to the entire waste management process, adding that there was limited land space to accommodate the endless dumping of refuse at landfills, thus necessitating the introduction of a robust recycling system.

Towards ensuring full implementation and success of the initiative, Bello said the State government would work with organised estates for the collection and sorting of recyclable materials and thanked sponsors of the initiative for their support.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, said recycling was key to the Authority’s drive to make Lagos cleaner and livable, stressing that moving plastic materials from the Lagos waste stream would reduce the volume of waste that eventually gets to dumpsites.

Odumboni said the Lagos Recycle Initiative would deploy an attractive reward system to encourage waste segregation and timely pick-up of recyclables, emphasising that residents would be rewarded for gathering their plastic items and handing them over to LAWMA accredited recyclers.

He said further that LAWMA would place recycling tools at various public facilities for the collection of recyclables, noting that the initiative, apart from ridding the environment of plastic waste and its ugly effects, would provide jobs for thousands of unemployed people in society.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye, stressed that the vision of the State government is to have a cleaner, beautiful and more hygienic environment, which would be promoted by the Lagos Recycle programme.

Mr. Adelaye Odubunmi, the Chief Executive Officer of Pakam, made a presentation on the usage of the Pakam App, the software being deployed for effective collection and management of recyclable wastes in realtime.

While delivering his goodwill message, the Regional Executive, Lagos and South West of Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Dike Dimiri, thanked the Authority for giving them the opportunity to be part of the recycling initiative, promising that the bank would contribute meaningfully to the success of the programme.