HEDA Urges Lagos State to Recognize Waste Pickers as Recycling Heroes
LAGOS/Nigeria: On the occasion of the 2024 World Recycling Day, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has passionately appealed to the Lagos State Government to acknowledge waste pickers as indispensable contributors to recycling endeavours and frontline champions against pollution and climate change.
Under the theme #RecyclingHeroes, HEDA is actively engaging with key stakeholders in the environmental sector, including the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, to challenge existing perceptions surrounding waste pickers and highlight their pivotal role in combating environmental degradation.
Central to HEDA’s advocacy is the integration of waste-separation-at-source into environmental policies, not only within Lagos State but across the nation. Sulaimon Arigbabu, HEDA’s Executive Secretary, underscored the necessity of sorting waste at its origin for the efficacy and viability of recycling initiatives.
Arigbabu proposed the initiation of waste separation programs in select communities, accompanied by incentives and assistance over a six-month period to facilitate adoption and expansion to other areas. He emphasized the importance of community involvement, suggesting competitions among schools, communities, and associations to promote waste sorting excellence.
Furthermore, HEDA emphasized the urgency of standardizing and regulating waste pickers’ activities statewide. Arigbabu advocated for government intervention to provide approved waste carts, color-coded and numbered for easy identification and differentiation among service providers. Such measures, he argued, would curb indiscriminate waste disposal and enhance the conducive environment for recycling investments.
In addition to advocating for color-coded waste bags for household and industrial use, HEDA called upon the Federal Ministry of Environment to explore policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to fortify recycling enterprises and attract investments.
As a staunch advocate for environmental and climate justice, HEDA reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders at all levels to promote waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives. The organization’s partnership with the Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA) underscores its dedication to effecting societal change in waste management and recycling practices through advocacy and education.
