LAWMA PREPARES LAGOS FOR A DUMPSITE-FREE FUTURE – MD
Read Time:2 Minute, 21 Second
By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) says it is implementing measures to reduce Lagos’ reliance on dumpsites by expanding resource recovery, investing in modern waste processing facilities, promoting environmental education and strengthening collaboration with stakeholders across the waste management value chain.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, disclosed this while speaking on the weekend edition of Traffic Radio’s Talk Time programme. He explained that the Authority’s long-term strategy is based on the understanding that dumpsites cannot serve as permanent solutions for waste disposal in a fast-growing megacity like Lagos.
According to him, every landfill has a limited lifespan, making it essential to reduce the amount of waste disposed of at dumpsites while adopting sustainable alternatives that recover value from waste.
Gbadegesin said LAWMA is gradually shifting its focus from waste disposal to resource management by increasing the volume of waste that is recycled, recovered or treated before reaching landfill sites.
He revealed that the Authority is investing in Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Transfer Loading Stations (TLSs), biodigesters, composting plants and other waste processing infrastructure to boost recycling and minimise the amount of waste requiring final disposal.
He noted that every tonne of waste diverted from dumpsites extends the lifespan of existing disposal facilities while creating opportunities for job creation, industrial growth and environmental sustainability.
The LAWMA boss added that the Authority is intensifying waste sorting and recycling programmes to ensure recyclable and organic materials are separated and returned to productive use instead of being discarded as mixed waste.
He stressed that infrastructure alone would not deliver sustainable waste management, emphasising that public awareness and behavioural change remain critical to the Authority’s long-term objectives.
Gbadegesin explained that the LAWMA Academy serves as the Authority’s platform for environmental education, equipping residents, schools, markets, estates, institutions and community groups with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt responsible waste management practices.
He added that the Academy is also working with academic institutions, development partners, professional organisations and private sector players to encourage research, innovation and practical solutions that will advance Lagos’ circular economy.
According to him, the most sustainable waste is the waste that never reaches a dumpsite, noting that every item recovered through recycling, composting and other resource recovery initiatives helps reduce pressure on landfill facilities while promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.
He urged residents to sort waste at source, use only assigned Private Sector Participants (PSPs) for waste collection and actively support recycling initiatives, stressing that public participation is essential to building a sustainable waste management system.
Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to transforming waste into valuable resources and preparing Lagos for a future where recycling and resource recovery take precedence, with dumpsites serving only as a last-resort disposal option within an integrated and sustainable waste management framework.
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