The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has launched about 40,000 standard waste collection bins, in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to drive a cleaner city.
The Governor also promised his continuous support to the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA for the city to remain clean, healthy and ensure sustainable environment for all.
At the official commissioning of the Adopt-A-Bin Program, an initiative of LAWMA, the Governor stated that at the inception of his administration, there was a clear road-map towards a cleaner Lagos city, which the government is pushing to actualise at the moment.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello explained that numerous interventions to address challenges of waste management have been activated in the last few years, which according to him has given credence to Lagos Recycle Initiative.
“Last year, when I commissioned LAWMA’s 102 trucks and 100 double-dino bins, I emphasised the importance of recycling as the way to go; as a source of economic empowerment for the people, and as a way of reducing pressure on our saturated landfills, around the state.
“I am pleased to note that LAWMA is gradually building on the Lagos Recycle Initiative, which has started bearing fruits, especially in the area of economic empowerment for our people.
“The gospel of waste sorting at source, is now gaining ground; individual pickers of recyclable items are increasing by the day, recycling firms are springing up, and final off-takers are getting busier, with every one harvesting their income, along the waste management value- chain.
“It is gladdening to note, that our people are getting to know that what they had regarded as thrash before, is actually money and not waste anymore.”
Essence of program
The Governor emphasised that the whole essence of the standard waste bins is to simplify the process of waste management from the source. “When you acquire the bins, you simply sort your waste and drop all recyclable items like cans, plastic, cartons, water sachet, etc. in the blue bin; while you drop the general waste in the green bin.”
The stability of those bins according to the Governor is to ensure easy handling by the waste collectors, who come around periodically, to empty them, while the PSP operators show up to empty the green bins, the recyclers come around for the blue, containing the recyclable items, which are weighed and recorded, in anticipation for redemption in cash or kind.
The Waste Management Authority had launched a “PAKAM App” which is facilitating communication among residents and registered recyclers, and the Governor, however implored residents to take advantage of the technology, to drive the process, and tap into the abundant economic opportunities in recycling, and waste management in general.
Waste sorting
The Managing Director/CEO LAWMA, Mr. Ibrahim Odumboni explained that the initiative was carefully designed to promote effective waste management in the state, with emphasis on waste sorting right at the point of generation.
Odumboni stressed that the state government, through LAWMA has over the years, stepped up efforts at ensuring a clean and healthy environment by introducing pragmatic initiatives, to meet the waste management needs of residents across the city-scape.
He was optimistic that the launch of the Adopt-a-Bin Program, would move the State closer to the vision of establishing an environment-friendly state, through best waste management practices.
The bins
According to him “To effectively execute the project, we will be putting an initial 40,000 standard bins to households and commercial entities. The 240-litre bins, in green and blue colours, would be used for general waste and for recyclable items. They are smart and equipped with intelligent devices, which enable tracking and identification. These unique devices also make it possible to register every single bin to individual addresses, for easy communication on issues relating to them.”
“I must add that plans have been concluded come 1st of April, 2022, organised Estates and Commercial facilities would continue to pay same amount of their waste bill should they separate their waste from source. In the same vein, should they fail to separate from source, their bill would be reviewed upward by 15% to accommodate fee for sorting at the point of disposal.”
“This becomes necessary for them to support the drive and initiative of separating waste from source, as we cannot continue to endanger our environment. Any estate and commercial premises that does this would be certified as compliant and environmental friendly.”
Waste beyond waste
LAWMA boss added that waste management has gone beyond just picking up refuse and dumping them in the landfills, which are currently overstretched, going by the huge volumes of wastes being generated around the city on a daily basis.
Among the several benefits of the standard bins according to stakeholders are: safe containerization of waste; easy evacuation; reduction in the harmful activities of pests; as well as reduced city flooding among others.
Dominica Nwabufo
