A multinational player in the steel, plastic and footwear industries, Lee Group of Companies, has donated 100 smart bins to the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to promote the circular economy culture.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, LAWMA, Folashade Kadiri, on Friday in Lagos.

Speaking on the purpose of its visit, the Operations Manager of the Lee Group, Abiola Akerele, noted that the company operated a recycling plant and required the agency’s support for its accreditation.

Mr Akerele said that the company had previously purchased LAWMA’s smart bins, which it distributed to residents as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative for a cleaner Lagos city.

He added that the group had plans to procure an additional 100 smart bins, which it would require LAWMA to distribute to schools, hospitals, and other public institutions.

Mr Akerele said his would be in support of the state’s recycling effort and the broader circular economy initiative.

In his remarks, the company’s Managing Director, Tunji Solarin, disclosed that the visit and donation were inspired by a recent interview granted by the LAWMA Managing Director, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin.

He stated, “The interview struck a chord in us and resonated with us. We are 100 per cent committed to a cleaner environment to ensure that LAWMA achieves its goal of making Lagos cleaner. It is in our own interest to do that. We felt there is a need for more communication, discussion, and stakeholder engagement, not just for formality’s sake.’’

He stressed the need for attitudinal change and genuine partnerships, adding that plans were underway to build a circular economic infrastructure in Lagos State, achievable through partnership.

He pledged the company’s willingness to collaborate on LAWMA’s initiative to develop collection centres across the state.

In his remarks, Mr Gbadegesin, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the donation, noting that the partnership was both timely and encouraging.

He stated, “I appreciate that someone is listening, which makes this heartwarming for me. Today is a good day for me because I can see some of the seeds have borne fruit. LAWMA’s vision is for every household in Lagos to have at least two bins, one for recyclables and the other for general waste. However, considering the population density, we plan to have more communal recycling bins and collection centres strategically placed, particularly around marketplaces, to collect recyclables. This approach will help minimise the need for landfills, which pose environmental and health risks, and ultimately reduce their negative impact on our ecosystem and residents’ well-being.’’

Speaking further, he urged the company to remain committed to the circular economy initiative, assuring them of LAWMA’s full support.

He noted that there were several opportunities in circular economy, as it was worth two and a half billion dollars annually, to be unlocked by the private sector.

“Lagos is densely populated, and people are generating items of value across different waste characterisation chains. Our own idea is to have community recycling centres where they can bring the different items and educate them, and we can now aggregate the materials and transport them to where they will be used,” Mr Gbadegesin said. 

(NAN)