Nigeria: Ogun State launches initiatives to fight plastic pollution

The Ogun State Government has launched two strategic initiatives designed to fight plastic pollution and promote sustainable waste management while providing economic benefits to residents. The State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said that the state would implement the Plastic for Cash and Blue Box porgrammes, incentivising recycling and promoting sustainable environmental practices. According to Oresanya, Ogun State recycles almost 2000 metric tonnes of plastics daily, thanks to the activity of several local plastic recycling companies. However, current recycling levels are not enough to deal with the massive plastic pollution produced every day, with single-use plastics such as bottles, caps, and shopping bags contributing significantly to environmental degradation. The newly launched initiatives aim to promote not only environmental protection but also economic empowerment and behavioural change.
Through the Plastic for Cash programme, residents will be encouraged to sort and exchange their plastic waste for cash or other valuable items. Meanwhile, the Blue Box initiative, which is to be led by the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, will introduce a systematic, house-to-house waste segregation model. Oresanya pointed out that the programme will enable residents to separate recyclable waste from organic and general waste at the point of generation, ensuring efficient collection and enhancing recycling. In support of both initiatives, the State Government has established a plastic management committee composed of regulatory agencies, manufacturers’ associations, and academic institutions. The committee will oversee the implementation of the single-use plastic management fund, which will support the buy-back programme and facilitate job creation across the plastic recycling value chain.