Lagos residents urged to embrace alternatives as dumpsites fill up

Lagos residents face a critical juncture as the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) announces that all disposal facilities are nearing their operational limits. The agency is urging citizens to embrace waste reduction and sustainable alternatives to prevent landfills from reaching capacity.

LAWMA's Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, emphasized that landfills were never intended as permanent solutions for a megacity like Lagos. The authority is now prioritizing resource management over mere disposal. This involves expanding investments in facilities like Material Recovery Facilities, Transfer Loading Stations, and biodigesters to recycle and treat waste before it reaches landfills.

“

Every disposal facility had a finite operational lifespan, making it imperative to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill sites while developing sustainable alternatives capable of recovering value from waste.

The shift aims not only to extend the lifespan of existing dumpsites but also to foster wealth creation and environmental sustainability. Gbadegesin highlighted that diverting waste from landfills creates opportunities for economic development. Furthermore, LAWMA is intensifying waste sorting and recycling initiatives to ensure valuable materials are repurposed rather than discarded as mixed waste.

Beyond infrastructure, LAWMA recognizes the vital role of public engagement. The LAWMA Academy serves as the platform for environmental education and advocacy, equipping residents, schools, and community groups with the knowledge to adopt responsible waste management practices. This dual approach of infrastructure investment and public education is central to achieving long-term waste management goals in Lagos.

“

In my words, every factory in Nigeria is running a second, unwanted business as a private power station.