…praises Agency’s Success in Public-Private Partnerships
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director and CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has revealed plans to prohibit the disposal of textile waste at landfills throughout Lagos State. According to Dr. Gbadegesin, textile waste, which currently ends up in landfills, holds untapped potential as a valuable resource. By diverting these materials from landfills, they can be recycled, repurposed, and transformed into income-generating products, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic growth.
According to a press release signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Folashade Kadiri it stipulates that the proposed ban reflects LAWMA’s commitment to reducing landfill waste while fostering a circular economy. By encouraging recycling and reuse, the agency aims to not only address environmental concerns but also create opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Dr. Gbadegesin emphasized that textile waste, if properly managed, could become a significant asset, supporting green initiatives and creating new avenues for revenue.
Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director and CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), shared plans to ban textile waste disposal at landfills during the recent Lagos Fashion Week. The event, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, was organized by Style House Files in partnership with the Circular Business Platform and the Lagos State Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy.
Speaking at the fashion-forward event, Dr. Gbadegesin highlighted the untapped potential of textile waste as a valuable resource that could be recycled and repurposed, offering economic benefits and promoting sustainability. He emphasized that diverting textile waste from landfills aligns with LAWMA’s vision of a circular economy, creating new business opportunities while addressing environmental concerns.
At the Lagos Fashion Week, themed “Fostering a Sustainable Fashion Ecosystem,” Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, MD/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), underscored the importance of tackling textile waste to build a more sustainable and equitable fashion industry. The event was part of the Nigeria-Netherlands Exchange Programme aimed at promoting a circular fashion economy.
Dr. Gbadegesin highlighted that textile waste is a significant contributor to the 13,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily in Lagos State. He emphasized that addressing this issue is not only vital for environmental sustainability but also crucial for creating a thriving circular economy within the fashion sector. By recycling and repurposing textiles, Lagos can reduce landfill pressure and open new avenues for economic growth, he noted
He maintained as follows: “Having discovered the significant environmental impact of textile waste dumped at our landfills, which comprises about 8 percent of the waste deposited, along with its contribution to resource depletion, and the potential for creating economic and social benefits through sustainable solutions like recycling, upcycling, and responsible consumption, we have decided to ban textile waste at all our landfills. This will take effect in three months.
“We are already in partnership with Tejuosho Market in Yaba, where we will collect the waste and transfer it to companies involved in textile recycling. At LAWMA, we believe in practicing what we preach, and we’ve demonstrated this through the students who have come to learn waste management at the LAWMA Academy. Before their graduation, they learned upcycling with textile waste, producing beautiful items from the waste. Our goal is to continue advocating for sustainability practices, and we hope to engage in projects that promote circularity,” he stated.
In his opening address at Lagos Fashion Week, Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands, Mr. Peter Keulers, applauded the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State government for their unwavering commitment to maintaining cleanliness across the state. Mr. Keulers highlighted the importance of such efforts, noting that a cleaner environment sets the foundation for sustainable development. He commended LAWMA’s dedication to waste management and its proactive initiatives to promote sustainability, particularly through events like the fashion week that encourage circular economy practices.
In the same vein, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the LAWMA Managing Director, highlighted the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in the agency’s success. He described these collaborations as the cornerstone of LAWMA’s operations, enabling the agency to tackle waste management challenges more effectively. By working closely with private sector partners, LAWMA has been able to implement innovative solutions, boost recycling efforts, and ensure cleaner, more sustainable urban spaces across Lagos. Dr. Gbadegesin emphasized that continued cooperation between public entities and private stakeholders is essential for achieving long-term environmental goals.
Speaking as a panelist at the Fresh Perspectives Event 2024, organized by Betaglass Plc in Victoria Island, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director of LAWMA, underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing environmental solutions. During the discussion on the topic “Public-Private Partnerships for Environmental Solutions,” he described these collaborations as the backbone of LAWMA’s success. Dr. Gbadegesin highlighted how partnerships with private sector entities have been instrumental in driving innovative waste management practices, enhancing recycling initiatives, and ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable Lagos. He emphasized that sustained cooperation between public and private sectors is key to addressing environmental challenges and achieving lasting progress.
Gbadegesin highlighted the success of LAWMA’s collaborations, emphasizing how strategic public-private partnerships have been instrumental in achieving the Authority’s mission. These alliances, he noted, have not only strengthened waste management efforts but also spurred innovation across the sector, driving improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and service delivery.
He said “For us in LAWMA, everything we do is through partnerships. As you all know, we manage the waste of over 22 million people in the state. One of our most successful partnerships is with the hundreds of PSP operators who help us collect waste from households and companies. We are also in partnership with nearly a thousand cleaning companies, managing thousands of street sweepers. These sweepers work tirelessly every day. They are our heroes,”
Gbadegesin emphasized the significant impact of various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives spearheaded by both private and public entities. These partnerships have successfully provided essential donations, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and uniforms for street sweepers, enhancing their safety and professionalism while they work to keep the city clean.
“Here in LAWMA, we have a department in charge of partnerships, and they have been doing fantastic work. We have partnered with some banks to adopt streets, where they donate uniforms for the sweepers maintaining those routes. The Authority recently partnered with a waste-to-energy firm, and we are establishing a waste-to-energy plant in Epe. We are also in partnership with Zoomlion, a Ghanaian company, which will help us decommission the Olusosun dumpsite. We know there is great potential in partnerships that can foster job creation and a brighter future,” he added.
Mr. Alexandra Gendis, the Chief Executive Officer of Betaglass, underscored the importance of nurturing the creative ambitions of Nigerian youth as a catalyst for significant economic empowerment. He asserted that investing in young talent not only fosters innovation but also paves the way for transformative growth across the nation’s economy
To cap it all, the event was graced by a distinguished lineup of dignitaries, including Mr. Wale Adebiyi, Managing Director of Wecyclers; Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA); and Ms. Sharin Sweet, head of Betaglass Plc. Their collective presence underscored the importance of collaboration among industry leaders in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable initiatives.
For waste management related issues and complaints, please call LAWMA toll-free numbers: 080000LAWMA (08000052962), 07080601020 and 617, or visit www.lawma.gov.ng.
For Advertisement, Event Coverage, Public Relations, Story/Article Publication, and other Media Services, kindly send an email to: thescopermedia58@gmail.com.
More importantly, to stay updated with the latest news, health updates, happenings, and interesting stories, visit thescopermedia.com
