The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) announced plans to prohibit textile waste disposal in all Lagos landfills, emphasizing the potential to recycle textiles into economically beneficial products. LAWMA’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this initiative at the Lagos Fashion Week, an event organized by Style House Files in partnership with the Circular Business Platform and the Lagos State Office for Climate Change and Circular Economy. The proposed ban, slated to take effect in three months, is part of a larger vision to foster a circular economy in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme “Fostering a Sustainable Fashion Ecosystem,” Dr. Gbadegesin addressed the critical role of textile waste in sustainability efforts, noting that textile materials account for around 8 percent of Lagos’s daily waste generation of 13,000 metric tonnes. “Textile waste contributes significantly to landfill volume, resource depletion, and environmental impact,” he explained. “By diverting these materials from landfills and channeling them into recycling, we can reduce environmental strain and create new economic opportunities.”
As part of this initiative, LAWMA is partnering with Tejuosho Market in Yaba to collect textile waste for recycling. Dr. Gbadegesin also highlighted LAWMA Academy’s role in promoting sustainability, where students learn how to upcycle textile waste, transforming discarded materials into new, marketable items.
The event also featured remarks from the Netherlands’ Deputy Consul General, Mr. Peter Keulers, who praised LAWMA and Lagos State for their ongoing environmental efforts.
Dr. Gbadegesin further underscored the value of public-private partnerships in LAWMA’s operations at the Fresh Perspectives Event 2024, hosted by Betaglass Plc. Reflecting on the agency’s work with over 700 private sector participants to manage waste from millions of households, Gbadegesin said, “Our operations thrive on partnerships—from working with numerous PSP operators for household waste collection to collaborating with over a thousand cleaning companies managing street sweepers across Lagos.”
Highlighting CSR contributions, he noted partnerships with private and public organizations that provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and uniforms for street sweepers. Recent collaborations also include waste-to-energy initiatives, such as a planned plant in Epe and an agreement with Zoomlion Ghana to decommission the Olusosun dumpsite.
Betaglass CEO Alexandra Gendis also underscored the importance of supporting Nigerian youth in realizing their creative potential to drive sustainable economic growth. Other dignitaries at the event included Wale Adebiyi, Managing Director of Wecyclers, and Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.
For inquiries and complaints, LAWMA encourages residents to contact its toll-free numbers or visit www.lawma.gov.ng for more information.
