Rashidat Okunlade Writes

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA), and the state’s Ministry of the Environment, have paid a field visit to Polysmart, a wholly indigenous multimillion-dollar plastic recycling facility, located in Aiyetoro, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to explore areas of partnership, towards solving plastic pollution challenge in the state and across the country.

The firm, which began production in 2021, is into complete recycling of used plastic bottles, from collection to the production of six million food-grade pet bottles on a daily basis.

Speaking during the facility tour of the factory, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that the establishment of that firm was a dream come through, in actualization of the uncommon diligence and determination of the management team of the firm.

He said,” This is a strong indicator that LAWMA is making all best possible efforts at ensuring plastic pollution is tackled in the state and here we are with Polysmart. I could remember vividly the day I met with the MD and we discussed the possibility of having a collection system for solid waste. I must commend you and your team for your resilience”.

“In a state where we have about 12 million of used plastic, if Polysmart collects 7 million on a daily basis, gradually, plastic pollution will go off and we will have a plastic-free environment. That is why LAWMA is advocating the two-bin system for the collection of waste and sorting of recyclables”, he stressed.

Odumboni however challenged the firm to work with LAWMA Academy, to boost knowledge of waste management among the children and youth in the state.

Also Speaking, the permanent secretary of the Office of Environmental Services of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji, expressed delight in the company’s initiative, stressing that the emergence of Polysmart will no doubt help the ministry and LAWMA to provide a lasting solution to plastic pollution epidemic in Lagos State.

In his words, ” This is a testament that some people still believe so much in Nigeria and to see this coming from a Nigerian, it is a great motivation. From all that has been said and seen, it is obvious that this will curb the deposition of plastics in our drainage channels and the environment. It will serve as a source of income as well as employment for people, who will be involved in the sorting and collection process.

While pledging his support to the company, Gaji also promised that the Lagos State government will work with other stakeholders to support the company’s vision.

The Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Wasiu Balogun, who conducted the visitors around the facility, noted that the firm was established with the primary aim of solving the plastic mess and for employment generation.

He disclosed that the facility, which is the first of its kind in Africa, would have a daily requirement of about 7 million used bottles, for the non-stop running of the plant, which he disclosed, was wholly coupled by Nigerian engineers and technicians, without foreign assistance.

Balogun promised total cooperation with LAWMA and the state government, to increase the cost per kilogram of used plastic, harvested by households in the state and beyond.

The field visit involved the entire LAWMA management team, including the executive director of finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

As Lagosians celebrate the Eid-il-Fitr festival, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has appealed to residents to shun indiscriminate waste disposal, reiterating its commitment to ensuring a clean and healthy environment during and after the festive season.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, in a press statement, noted that waste management was an essential service that must be provided for the well-being of the people and the environment.

He assured residents that LAWMA was prepared to handle the expected increase in waste generation during the festive season, urging them to properly bag their waste and put them in covered bins, to avoid loose waste on the road median and setbacks.

The LAWMA helmsman stated that PSP operators had been directed to discharge their duties effectively with the agency offering backup services to fill in any gaps.

“We understand that there will be an increase in waste generation during the festive season, but we want to assure Lagosians that LAWMA is prepared to handle it. We have intensified our waste management efforts and are providing backup trucks for our PSP operators to ensure that waste is promptly collected and disposed of,” he said.

Odumboni also implored residents to refrain from activities that could damage the environment and endanger the lives of people, but to support efforts of LAWMA to make the metropolis livable for all.

He said, “We want to appeal to residents to desist from acts capable of making life miserable for the environment and its inhabitants. We want to ensure that everyone enjoys a clean and healthy environment during and after the Eid-il-Fitr celebrations.”

Odumboni wished all residents a joyful and clean Eid-il-Fitr celebration, while encouraging them to call LAWMA’s toll-free lines: 07080601020 and 617, for inquiries on waste management in their areas during and after the festive season.

FBRA Partners With UNIDO to Train Recyclers and Manufacturers of Plastic in Abuja.

The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held a seminar to raise awareness of the Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains Through Circular Economy Practices for Recyclers Project in Abuja.

This collaboration aims to contribute to Nigeria’s inclusive and sustainable industrial development and to reduce the leakage of plastics into the environment.

The problem of plastic pollution has continued to grow in tandem with the increase in the use of plastics, necessitating the application of measures to help mitigate the problem by ensuring a circular economy. One such measure is the awareness-raising seminar targeted towards promoting circular economy principles and practices to ensure resource-efficient production for plastic value chains in Nigeria.

Left-Right: Cross section of participants from UNIDO, FBRA, Producers/ Manufacturers of Packaging, and Waste
Value Chain players in Abuja environs.

Left-Right: Oluyomi Banjo (National Programme Coordinator, UNIDO); Nishio Nahomi (Project Manager, UNIDO);
Mr. Ryosuke Arai (Sales Manager Recycled Plastics, RECOTECH); Agharese Onaghise (Executive Secretary,
FBRA); Sakoto Takenoshita (Technical Advisor, UNIDO) and Victoria Uwadoka (Corporate Communications
& PR Manager, Nestle Nigeria).

Participants in the training included relevant stakeholders across the plastic value chain in Abuja and other states in northern Nigeria. Also in attendance were representatives from FBRA’s member companies, Plastic Waste Value Players: Waste pickers, Collectors, Aggregators, Recyclers, and Off-takers. representatives from UNIDO, NESREA, and the Federal Ministry of Environment were also present.

Amongst topics discussed during the technical sessions are Resource Efficient, Cleaner Production and its Benefits, Circular Economy, and Plastic Packaging. Nishio Nahomi, the UNIDO Project Manager, emphasised the importance of Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains Through Circular Economy Practices for Recyclers project for Nigeria. Recommendations include the demonstration of Circular Economy through Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) assessments, adoption of innovative technology, and partnership with pilot companies
committed to exploring Japanese improvement options.

Mr. Chukwudi Nwabuisiaku, Assistant Director, Plastics Waste Control at National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), spoke on the need to adopt circularity within the plastic value chain. He also reassured the participants of the NESREA’s unwavering support for the success of the Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains Through Circular Economy Practices for Recyclers project. Participants expressed their appreciation of the training and the impact it would have on their businesses. A representative of Boskel Nigeria Limited thanked FBRA for such an initiative and said he is eager to incorporate the new learnings in his business.

Rounding up the event, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Lead for Nestlé Nigeria Plc, a founding member company of FBRA, thanked everyone present and encouraged participants to continue to strive towards achieving the end goal which is plastics circularity.

She also expressed the willingness of FBRA to continue to provide the support needed to transition to this circular economy for plastics in Nigeria.