In a significant move to combat plastic pollution in Nigeria, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) to implement a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting sustainable plastic waste management in Lagos State.
EpeInsights learnt that the collaboration under the UNIDO Project 210184 titled “Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains through Circular Economy Practices,” is funded by the Government of Japan and aims to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for inclusive and sustainable industrial development by tackling plastic waste at its source.
As part of the project, four plastic waste collection facilities and 30 designated collection points will be set up across Lekki and Lagos Mainland. LAWMA will provide land and essential infrastructure, while UNIDO and FBRA will co-finance the project and lead community engagement under the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative.
LAWMA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, confirmed that land parcels have already been secured for the project. He added that one facility on the Lagos Mainland will be integrated with a local school to serve as both a recycling centre and environmental education hub, promoting eco-conscious behavior among students and residents.
National Programme Officer at UNIDO’s Sub-Regional Office in Abuja, Dr. Osuji Otu, highlighted the importance of this partnership, noting that the pilot in Lagos and Abuja is designed to become a replicable national model.
“The success of this project could attract additional funding and allow us to replicate the model in other states across Nigeria,” Otu said, while calling for the involvement of other government agencies to support environmental sustainability.
In Abuja, the pilot is being implemented in collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), while in Lagos, LAWMA and FBRA are leading the charge.
FBRA, a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for Nigeria’s food and beverage industry, will spearhead public awareness campaigns to educate residents about plastic recycling and sustainable waste disposal. With the enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) now mandatory, FBRA’s role has become even more crucial in reducing the environmental impact of product packaging.
The facilities, set to operate under private sector lease agreements, will be managed by selected recycling companies chosen through a transparent bidding process. A joint cooperation committee made up of representatives from UNIDO, LAWMA, and FBRA will oversee implementation, monitor progress, and resolve operational challenges.
LAWMA Executive Director of Finance, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, noted that the initiative, which began in 2022, is aligned with the agency’s broader mission to promote efficient waste management and environmental sustainability in Lagos.
“This partnership reflects LAWMA’s commitment to a cleaner, greener Lagos, and it marks a major milestone in building a circular economy that supports recycling and green job creation,” he added.
The project will run through September 2026, with the LAWMA-FBRA collaboration expected to extend beyond the official timeline to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.
Key stakeholders at the signing event included Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA); Agharese Onaghise, Executive Director, FBRA; and Oluyomi Banjo, National Programme Coordinator, UNIDO.
For more information on plastic waste management, recycling initiatives, and LAWMA’s sustainability projects, visit LAWMA’s official website.
