Industry players estimate that Nigeria’s recycling industry is worth at least $2 billion. Despite this significant economic potential, Lagos State continues to grapple with the persistent issue of plastic pollution. Lagos, the heart of Africa’s most populous country, has faced a challenging battle against plastic waste over the years. Although the state government has implemented various measures to tackle this problem, the situation remains dire. With approximately 22 million residents, Lagos generates an astonishing 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Numerous campaigns, particularly by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), have aimed to combat plastic pollution and transform it into an economically viable opportunity. However, the environmental threat continues to plague the city.
Many areas within Nigeria’s economic hub are littered with waste, and it is common to see drains blocked by plastic bottles, leading to flooding during heavy rains. From the upscale Lagos Island to the mainland neighborhoods of Agege, Abule Egba, Bariga, Fadeyi, Ketu, Ilasa, Mushin, Isolo, and Oshodi, plastic pollution poses a serious hazard to residents. In an exclusive interview, Femi Idowu-Adegoke, an environmental expert and President of the Lagos Recyclers Association, attributed the ongoing issue of plastic pollution in Lagos to the lack of willingness among residents to adopt recommended waste disposal practices. He noted that while Nigeria’s recycling industry holds immense potential, it has struggled to realize this due to the indiscriminate disposal of waste and insufficient awareness among Lagos residents about collaborating with professionals to convert waste into economic opportunities.
Idowu-Adegoke emphasized the need for a change in attitude at the household and community levels to combat plastic pollution effectively. He stated, “We need to understand that we should not use and dump anymore. People need to realize that there is value attached to their plastic waste and embrace attitudinal change by setting aside these plastics for recycling.” He acknowledged that while total abstinence from disposable plastics is ideal, the lack of access to clean water in some areas leads to increased reliance on bottled and sachet water. Therefore, embracing recycling becomes essential, starting with a shift in behavior and mindset.
The CEO of Eco Viridis further highlighted the economic value of plastic waste commonly discarded into drainage systems, which could be recycled into various products. He explained that PET bottles can be transformed into polyester fiber, which is used in clothing, pillow stuffing, and even footwear. If collection efforts are improved, these materials could be repurposed into new bottles and other items. He also mentioned an individual in Ibadan who recycles pure water sachets into traditional woven fabric, aso-oke.
The Emergency Flood Abatement Gang, a government initiative under the Lagos Ministry of the Environment, has previously expressed concerns that the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste exacerbates environmental challenges in the state. In response, regulators have introduced several initiatives to mitigate plastic pollution, including the We-Cyclers program, which involves tricycles collecting plastic waste door-to-door. Participants earn points redeemable for gifts, and the collected waste is sent to factories for recycling into small plastic pellets used to produce items like bins and buckets. While this initiative has achieved some success, it remains insufficient to address the growing waste problem, which is escalating due to rapid urbanization.
In February 2022, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency announced a ban on single-use plastics, PET bottles, polystyrene, and other non-biodegradable materials in the state. The agency cited the alarming increase in these materials and the urgent need for action to reverse the trend, promoting the use of reusable or biodegradable alternatives that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. LASEPA reported that approximately 8 million pieces of plastic enter the ocean daily, posing significant threats to marine life, food safety, human health, and contributing to climate change. LASEPA General Manager Dolapo Fasawe remarked, “Single-use plastics represent the epitome of a throwaway culture that ends up in landfills, oceans, and waterways, causing environmental and health hazards.” The agency has collaborated with the Cleaners Practitioners Association of Nigeria to advocate for behavioral change regarding recycling and plastic disposal, as well as to promote a reward system through their cash-for-trash program.
Following a United Nations directive for countries to phase out plastics by 2030, LASEPA received 200 reusable canned bottles from the Nigeria Bottling Company in May 2022 to support its efforts against plastic pollution. Fasawe emphasized the importance of encouraging reusable materials and promoting recycling among Lagosians. When contacted for an update on the 2022 ban, LASEPA’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, Bola Ajao, stated that the ban had been enforced within the agency to inspire broader societal change regarding the indiscriminate disposal of single-use plastics. Ajao explained that LASEPA has initiated a mass campaign across all local government areas to combat this issue, advocating for the transformation of waste into wealth.
Despite ongoing government campaigns and initiatives, the dangers posed by plastic pollution continue to escalate. Global institutions have issued warnings about the impending consequences if this problem is not addressed. A World Bank report titled “Making Lagos a Pollution Free City: Solving the Threat One Solution at a Time” expressed concern that Lagos is becoming notorious for its pollution issues, with an estimated 30,000 annual deaths attributed to pollution. In 2019, Nigerian lawmakers considered a bill to prohibit plastic bags, but this initiative has stalled, becoming yet another unfulfilled promise from the National Assembly. As a result, the menace of plastic pollution persists. Experts warn that without immediate action, more environmentally related disasters may be on the horizon.
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