The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has unveiled a vision that could transform waste disposal in the state into a major economic asset, estimating that Lagos has the potential to generate up to $2.5 billion annually from a well-structured circular economy.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, emphasised the need to move away from the traditional linear waste management system, where waste is simply collected, dumped, and buried. Instead, he advocated for a circular economy approach, in which materials are systematically reused and recycled to minimize waste and create economic value.
Lagos currently transports about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily to landfills, a practice that not only strains available landfill space but also represents a significant loss of potential revenue. Gbadegesin explained that by embracing a circular economy model, up to 10,000 tonnes of waste daily could be diverted into productive uses, unlocking substantial economic benefits. “We were used to the linear model where waste is collected, dumped, and buried. Now, we are introducing a circular economy where waste has value. About 90% of our waste still has economic potential if properly sorted,” he said.
To realize this shift, LAWMA is prioritizing waste sorting at the source while establishing community recycling centers across Lagos. These centers will provide residents with incentives to exchange recyclable materials such as PET bottles, paper, metals, and food waste, encouraging widespread participation in waste recovery and reuse.
“We need massive public sensitization and advocacy to drive this change. People must begin to sort waste at home, and we must have structured collection points where off-takers can process these materials,” Gbadegesin added. He noted that the agency is working closely with sister organizations to ensure the success of this initiative, though he admitted that greater public awareness is still needed to drive adoption on a large scale.
Despite Lagos’ progress, industry experts argue that Nigeria as a whole has yet to tap into the immense opportunities within the global circular economy. Last October, the Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA) expressed concern that the country is missing out on a $10 billion market due to its failure to effectively harness recycling and waste-to-resource initiatives. According to Femi Idowu-Adegoke, President of LAGRA, Nigeria’s inability to integrate circular economy principles into its economic framework has limited its contribution to GDP growth. He cited a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report estimating that the global circular economy will generate over $4.5 trillion by 2030, highlighting the urgency for Nigeria to embrace waste recycling as a pathway to economic diversification. “Nigerians must begin to see waste as a resource rather than trash. If we embrace recycling, we can transform discarded materials into valuable products like slippers, bags, and shoes,” Idowu-Adegoke stated.
With the right policies, infrastructure, and public participation, Lagos could lead the way in waste-to-wealth initiatives, turning its waste management challenge into a multi-billion-dollar economic powerhouse while promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.