Inadequate disposal of plastic trash leads to flooding in Lagos, says specialist.

Dr Olufemi Idowu-Adegoke, a renowned expert in waste and environmental sustainability, has pinpointed inadequate plastic waste management as a primary contributor to flooding in Lagos, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift from a disposal-driven system to a circular economy that prioritizes recycling.

Adegoke disclosed that Lagos generates a staggering 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with a substantial portion consisting of plastics such as sachet water, nylon, and bottles, which frequently end up in drainage channels, canals, and lagoons, ultimately causing flash flooding during rainfall.

According to Adegoke, plastics are notoriously lightweight and non-biodegradable, and when not captured by recycling systems, they are easily washed into drains, persisting in the environment for decades, which underscores the importance of effective plastic waste management.

Capturing between 30 and 50 per cent of plastic waste, Adegoke noted, would significantly mitigate flooding and environmental degradation, highlighting the crucial role that recycling plays in addressing these issues.

Adegoke observed that every plastic bottle recycled in Lagos translates to one less blockage in the drainage channel and one less flood trigger, emphasizing the tangible impact of recycling on reducing flood risk.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Adegoke noted that the agency's initiatives have been partly effective but structurally limited in driving large-scale recycling, despite having built a strong institutional framework since its establishment in 1977.

The agency's efforts, including waste collection systems, regulation of private sector operators, and sustained public awareness campaigns, have improved awareness of recycling, but Adegoke stressed that the outcomes remain weak due to policy and system gaps.

Plastic recycling rates in Lagos, Adegoke disclosed, remain between three and six per cent, while other recyclable materials record less than five per cent recovery, with only about 40 per cent of total waste generated being formally collected, leaving large volumes to end up in drains and the environment.

Adegoke identified weak enforcement of environmental policies, lack of mandatory waste sorting, and limited economic incentives as major constraints hindering effective waste management in Lagos.

He noted that Lagos does not lack policies, but rather consistent enforcement, economic incentives, and system integration, which are essential for driving meaningful change in waste management practices.

Adegoke warned that Lagos is approaching a tipping point, with a rising population and consumption, emphasizing the need for urgent action to scale up recycling through coordinated efforts across policy, infrastructure, finance, and behaviour.

He advocated for the adoption of a recycling-first approach, decentralization of infrastructure across communities, and strengthening of community-based recovery systems to improve recycling outcomes.

Adegoke stressed the need to formalize and empower informal waste workers through registration, licensing, and social protection, recognizing their critical role as the backbone of recycling and the green workforce.

He called for stronger economic incentives, including deposit return schemes, expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility, and tax credits for recycled materials, to make recycling more financially viable.

Adegoke also recommended import duty waivers on recycling equipment and increased investment in local processing capacity, such as bottle-to-bottle plants and plastic manufacturing systems, to support the growth of the recycling industry.

He emphasized that recycling must become more profitable than dumping, highlighting the need for a fundamental shift in the economic paradigm governing waste management practices.

Adegoke further recommended digitization of the waste ecosystem to track material flows, payments, and carbon savings, as well as integration of recycling into climate finance through carbon credit systems.

On investment, Adegoke noted that waste management decisions in Lagos should be based on life-cycle cost rather than initial capital outlay, as recycling infrastructure, although requiring significant upfront investment, generates long-term economic and environmental returns.

He contrasted this with landfill systems, which he described as a recurring liability with little or no revenue generation, highlighting the limitations of the current waste management approach in Lagos.

Adegoke observed that effective recycling would also extend the lifespan of landfill sites by reducing waste volume, underscoring the potential benefits of adopting a more circular economy approach.

He noted that recyclers in Lagos operate in a high-potential but inefficient environment due to structural challenges, including irregular and contaminated waste supply, weak collection systems, and high operating costs.

Adegoke identified logistics as a significant cost component, with up to 50 per cent of recycling operating costs in Lagos being consumed by logistics alone, highlighting the need for more efficient waste collection and transportation systems.

He also cited limited access to finance, high interest rates, and lack of collateral as barriers to growth for small and medium recyclers, emphasizing the need for targeted support and enabling policies.

Adegoke further highlighted the marginalization of informal waste workers, noting that they lack recognition, fair wages, and social protection, despite their critical role in the recycling value chain.

To address these issues, Adegoke urged the government to formalize the sector through the creation of a recycling registry, establishment of cooperatives, and provision of targeted financing to support the growth of the recycling industry.

He recommended the development of dedicated recycling zones, enforcement of source separation, and introduction of price support mechanisms to create a more enabling environment for recyclers.

Adegoke emphasized the importance of capacity building and public procurement of recycled products to create stable demand and drive growth in the recycling sector.

He stressed that Lagos must shift from a "pay-to-dump" model to a value recovery system driven by recycling, noting that the state is still paying heavily for disposal instead of investing in recovery.

Adegoke added that the state already has a functional recycling workforce and does not need to build a new system, emphasizing that the government's role is to formalize, empower, and scale the existing system.