The managing director of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Odumboni, says the state’s recycling industry recorded about N18 billion in 2021.

Mr Odumboni said this at the inauguration of the Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA) at the Muson Centre on Wednesday in Lagos.

“There are lots of opportunities to be tapped from the circular economy in Lagos alone. As of last year, we recorded about N18 billion in value of the recycling economy in Lagos,’’ he said.

He said the Lagos government was proud to be associated with LAGRA, adding that its birth was closely linked to LAWMA’s influence based on the need to have a working relationship with recyclers.

“There are enormous opportunities in recycling, but it is time for Nigerians to grab the opportunities therein. In the nearest future plastic pollution will be a thing of the past,” Mr Odumboni said.

In his welcome address, Femi Idowu-Adegoke, president of LAGRA, said it was time to nurture the recycling to unleash its potential to boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mr Idowu-Adegoke urged the association to continue to nurture the recycling industry in the country.

“In the next five years, the industry will be amazing what recycling will be able to do to our GDP as it will be a major employer of labour.

“Within one year, from five registered recycling companies, we now have about 104 recycling companies and over 6,000 informal recyclers. So, you can imagine the employment they create,” Mr Idowu-Adegoke said.

Olalekan Fatodu, an aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the pursuance of a circular economy was one of the policy goals of the Lagos State government.

“I believe some of the efforts and actions of LAGRA will lead to ways to beat plastic pollution in Nigeria, with Lagos serving as a pilot copy.

“If we do not come together to take a more decisive action on the issue of waste management, resource preservation and management, we will be faced with another danger that will be difficult to control,’’ he said.

LAGRA was formed in April 2021 to further propagate the Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Programme of Lagos state.

(NAN)