The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources have visited Polysmart, a plastic recycling company to explore areas of partnership.
A statement by the Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Odumboni on Tuesday, said the visit was also to solve plastic pollution challenge across the country.
Odumboni said the indigenous plastic recycling facility, located on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway began production in 2021.
According to him, the firm is into recycling of used plastic bottles, from collection to the production of six million food grade PET bottles on daily basis.
“This is a strong indication that LAWMA is making all best possible efforts at ensuring plastic pollution is tackled in the state and here we are with Polysmart.
“I can remember vividly the day I met with the managing director and we discussed on the possibility of having a collection system for solid waste. I must commend you and your team for your
resilience.
“In a state where we have about 12 million of used plastic, if Polysmart collects seven million on a daily basis, gradually, plastic pollution will go off and we will have a free environment.
“That is why LAWMA is advocating the two waste bin system for the collection of waste and sorting of recyclables,” Odumboni said.,
He, however, challenged the management of Polysmart to work with LAWMA Academy to boost knowledge of waste management among children and youths in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, said he was delighted about the company’s initiative.
Gaji said the emergence of Polysmart would no doubt, help the ministry and LAWMA to provide lasting solution to plastic pollution in the state.
“This is a testament that some people still believe so much in Nigeria and to see this coming from a citizen, it is a great motivation.
“From all that have been said and seen, it is obvious that this will curb deposition of plastics in our drainage channels and the environment,” he said.
The permanent secretary said it would also serve as a source of income and employment for people involved in the sorting and collection process.
He pledged to support the company and promised that the state government would work with other stakeholders to do the same.
Also, the Managing Director of the firm, Mr Wasiu Balogun, who conducted the visitors round the facility, said that it was aimed at solving plastic mess and to generate employment.
Balogun said the firm would have a daily requirement of about seven million used bottles for non-stop running of the plant, coupled by Nigerian engineers and technicians without foreign assistance.
He promised to co-operate with LAWMA and the government to increase the cost per kilogramme of used plastic harvested by households in the state and beyond. (NAN)
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