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Tackling the plastic menace in Lagos
The United Nations Environment Programme says about 8 million metric tonnes of plastic end up in oceans each year. Meanwhile, Lagos State is planning to establish 57 collection centres in a bid to reduce plastic pollution in the state, but will this effort be enough to curb the plastic pollution menace? Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola, Cofounder and Former CEO of Wecyclers joins CNBC Africa for this discussion.
Mon, 06 Aug 2018 11:35:59 GMT
Disclaimer: The following content is generated automatically by a GPT AI and may not be accurate. To verify the details, please watch the video
AI Generated Summary
- The importance of private sector participation in implementing sustainable solutions for plastic waste management in Lagos
- The need for public awareness campaigns and waste separation practices to enhance recycling efforts
- The proposal for private producers to take responsibility for collecting and recycling plastic waste generated by their products
Plastic pollution is a growing concern in Lagos, with various types of plastic waste polluting the environment, from pure water sachets to pet bottles used for drinks. The Lagos State government has proposed establishing 57 collection centers to address this issue, but experts believe more action is needed to make a real difference. Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola, Cofounder and Former CEO of Wecyclers, emphasized the importance of private sector involvement in implementing sustainable solutions for plastic waste management. She highlighted the significance of private players who understand how to run sustainable business models and efficiently collect and recycle plastic waste.
Abiola pointed out that while the government's initiative to set up collection centers is a step in the right direction, active participation from the private sector is crucial for long-term success. Private collectors can leverage their knowledge of the local terrain and effectively engage with communities to ensure the proper disposal and recycling of plastic waste. By partnering with the private sector, the government can optimize the collection process and promote better waste management practices.
In addition to setting up collection centers, Abiola emphasized the need for increased public awareness and education about plastic waste separation. She explained that households must be encouraged to segregate plastic waste from other types of garbage to preserve the value of the plastic for recycling purposes. By raising awareness about the benefits of recycling and incentivizing individuals to participate in waste collection, a more sustainable system can be established.
Regarding the handling of plastic waste, Abiola underscored the importance of sorting waste at the source to maintain the quality of the material. Mixing plastic with other substances such as oil, sand, and dirt can degrade its value and hinder the recycling process. Therefore, implementing separate bins for different types of waste, including paper, plastic, and cans, is essential to preserve the recyclability of plastic materials.
In terms of incentivizing individuals to participate in plastic waste collection, Abiola suggested adopting a payment system based on the weight of plastic materials collected. She proposed that private producers of plastic products should bear the responsibility of paying to collect and recycle the plastic waste generated by their products. By internalizing the cost of waste management into the production process, companies can contribute to cleaning up the environment and promoting a circular economy.
While the establishment of 57 collection centers is a positive step towards addressing plastic pollution in Lagos, Abiola emphasized the need for greater private sector engagement and public awareness campaigns to achieve lasting impact. By leveraging the strengths of both government initiatives and private sector expertise, Lagos can move closer to a sustainable solution for managing plastic waste and mitigating the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
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