Communities Set to Manage Their Waste in Lagos

As part of an effort to efficiently deal with the menace of over 9,000 tonnes of waste generated daily across the metropolis, Lagos State Government Waste Management Authorities (LAWMA) has unveiled a project on communal recycling banks. This will enable local communities in the State partner with the waste management agency in implementing different waste management initiatives such as the “Waste to Wealth”.

“The waste to wealth programme was launched in August 1999 by the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the core objective of harnessing a new line of economic activities and wooing interested investors through the provision of enabling environment for management of resources, protection of the environment through re-use and re-distribution of discarded materials.”

According to LAWMA, 1000 locally manufactured waste banks will be strategically located in neighborhoods across the state where residents will go and submit their already sorted household wastes (categorized into used clothes, electronic wastes, glasses, plastic materials, cans among others). The purpose of recycling bank is to create a participatory venture between the government and Lagosians, thus, bringing a sense of collective responsibility to the art of waste management.

Former scavengers are trained to be among the waste banks managers. They are expected to offer expert advice to residents and assist in further separating the wastes before onward transfer to Transfer Loading Station.

While Unveiling of one of the two banks in Alaka and Eric Moore communities, Surulere, Lagos, the State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Muiz Banire, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Mrs. Titi Anibaba,  said the project was part of the overall plan of the state to reduce the effect of climate change and global warming. Adding that the new method was in line with best practices around the world to reduce Green House Emission in the state and increase the life span of Lagos residents.

Fact-sheet about Waste management in Lagos

• 9,000 tons generated per day
• Recyclable component 80%
• Organic65%, Inorganic 35%
• Adoption of 3 Rs– Reuse Recycle & Reduce (Global best practice)
• Use of scavengers as Resource Persons at Bank
• Recycling Bank as community sorting centres, information and education centre
• To have 1000 banks in 24 months
• Lagos currently recycles 18 % of waste; hopes to achieve 35% by 2012
• Waste as resource Waste to Compost 10%, Plastic Recycling 7%, Paper Bailing 1%
• Tyre Recycling and Briquette on the way
• Waste to Energy to commence at Olushosun in 2011
• To upgrade all Transfer Loading Station (TLS) to Waste to Energy Plant; Simpson Project to start soon

Source: All Africa

Tweet

Share