Lagos commences transition to cyclical waste management system

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Lagos State Government has embarked on a bold transition from a linear waste management system to a cyclical one, in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda.

According to a post on X by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the state has signed Memoranda of Understanding with key organisations to bring innovation and sustainability into the waste sector.

According to Wahab, the goal, alongside our modular processing efforts, is to reduce the amount of waste entering landfills to zero.

It reads, “In line with the Governor Babajide Sanwoolu #jidesanwoolu led administration’s THEMES+ agenda, we have begun the challenging but necessary journey of moving from a linear waste management system to a cyclical one using different technologies. This transition is anchored on partnerships that bring innovation and sustainability into our waste sector.

“We have signed MOUs with reputable organisations, including Harvest Waste Consortium from the Netherlands, which is introducing a waste treatment solution that will convert almost 3,000 tonnes of waste daily into energy. With Lafarge Africa PLC, we are collaborating on the collection of non-recyclable combustible waste across the state and our landfill sites. In addition, JONSPONG Group of Companies is working with us on the treatment of solid and liquid waste and on establishing a Material Recovery Facility to reduce the pressure on landfills.

“The goal, alongside our modular processing efforts, is simple but ambitious: to reduce the amount of waste entering landfills to zero. Achieving this will allow us to begin the gradual decommissioning of landfills across Lagos State.

“We have never relented in our drive for a greener and cleaner Lagos, and this step marks another milestone in that journey.”