On the occasion of the 2024 World Recycling Day, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has called on the Lagos State Government to recognize waste pickers as essential contributors to recycling efforts and frontline warriors against pollution and climate change. This call to action reflects HEDA’s enduring dedication to fostering sustainable environmental practices.
Aligned with this year’s World Recycling Day theme, #RecyclingHeroes, HEDA is engaging with key decision-makers in the environment sector, including the federal and States Ministries of the Environment (especially the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment). The aim is to stimulate a reassessment of the prevailing narrative surrounding waste pickers, emphasizing their critical role in combating pollution and climate change.
In furtherance of this objective, HEDA strongly advocate for the integration of waste-separation-at-source into environmental policies, not only in Lagos State but also in other states across the country.
HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasized the importance of sorting waste at its origin for the success and profitability of recycling endeavors. He proposed the piloting of waste separation initiatives in selected communities, accompanied by incentives and support for a six-month period to facilitate learning and adaptation, with a view to upscale to all other communities in the state. Such campaign, aimed at behavioral change and paradigm shift, should involve of communities, schools, markets, religious houses, Community Development Associations (CDAs), and Community Development Committees (CDCs) in the state. He added, “Introducing competitions among school children, communities, CDAs, and CDCs to recognize the best-performing entities in waste sorting at the source and waste disposal could serve as incentives for participation and change.
Furthermore, HEDA highlights the urgent need to standardize and regulate the activities of waste pickers across the state. Arigbabu stressed the importance of government intervention to ensure the production and rental of government-approved waste carts, with color coding and numbering to differentiate and identify various service providers and pushers. When pickers are organised and regulated, and can be tracked and traced, and also given route and areas to operate, with attachment to registered off takers (collectors), this will curb indiscriminate waste dumping, other criminal or nuisance activities associated with waste pickers, as well as create a conducive environment for recycling investments to thrive.
Additionally, HEDA is urging Lagos State Government and other states to consider implementing color-coded waste bags for household and industrial use.
HEDA also called upon the Federal Ministry of Environment to explore policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to bolster recycling enterprises and attract investments. Additionally, the organization emphasized the need for federal support in encouraging states to recognize and improve the status of waste pickers across the country.
As an organization deeply committed to environment and climate justice and sustainable development, HEDA reaffirms its pledge to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to promote waste reduction, reuse, recycling initiatives. The organization is a member of the Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA) using advocacy and training as tools to bring about a societal level paradigm shift around waste management and recycling.
