The Lagos State Government has strengthened its commitment to sustainable waste management by signing three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with reputable private firms aimed at converting waste into valuable resources.
Speaking at the 11th Lagos International Climate Change Summit held at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the agreements mark a major shift from the traditional “pick and dump” waste disposal model to a modern, circular waste-to-wealth system.
Wahab explained that the first MoU, signed with HAK Waste Limited, focuses on establishing a circular beverage container recycling and recovery system using a deposit refund mechanism under the Extended Producer’s Responsibility Mechanism (EPRM).
This, he said, demonstrates investor confidence in Lagos’s waste reduction policies and aims to build a robust packaging circularity ecosystem.
The second agreement, with Haggai Logistics Limited, involves setting up a world-class tyre recycling facility to process end-of-life tyres using advanced, environmentally friendly technologies.
The third partnership, with Mondo 4 Africa, will convert non-recyclable plastic waste into sustainable fuel and other reusable materials through eco-friendly processes.
Wahab reaffirmed the state’s commitment to public sensitization on waste separation at the source, urging residents to view waste as an economic resource rather than mere refuse.
“We are working to change the culture of waste disposal and promote a mindset that sees value in every piece of waste,” he said, adding that the initiative also addresses key financial and environmental challenges, particularly Lagos’s vulnerability as a coastal city.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the MoUs as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability.
He emphasized that the state government and LAWMA alone cannot handle the huge volume of daily waste generation, making private sector collaboration essential.
Executives from the partner companies expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged full support for Lagos’s waste-to-wealth agenda.
Also in attendance were the Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Omobolaji Gaji; Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, Mr. Mahamood Adegbite; and LAWMA Executive Director (Finance), Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, among others.
(Guardian)
