Environmental Consultant tasks Nigerians on waste recycling

A Lagos-based Environmental Consultant, Mr Taiwo Adewole, on Friday enjoined Nigerians to do away with refuse evacuation through cart pushers and embrace waste recycling.

Adewole made the call while speaking with news men in Lagos.

He said that in the country, generation of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), industrial hazardous waste and biomedical waste had been increasing due to population growth, life style changes and economic development.

The consultant said that waste recycling had a lot of significant benefits to the people and the environment as well.

“Waste recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that will otherwise be thrown away as waste.

“These materials are transformed into new products, reducing the need to extract and process raw materials from the earth.

“Some of the benefits of waste recycling include conservation of natural resources, reduction of landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions and energy savings.

“Others are; decreased pollution, creation of jobs and economic growth, and conservation of water and land amongst others,” he said.

Adewole said that some waste that could be recycled were pure water sachets, nylon bags, pet bottles and plastics, amongst others.

He advised Nigerians, especially youths, to look inwards and turn waste to wealth.

The consultant, who said that there were many ways to turn waste to wealth, said that turning waste to wealth had so many significant advantages.

“Proper waste management prevents pollution, protects natural resources, conserves biodiversity and reduces the spread of diseases, minimises the presence of vermin and pests, and improves hygiene,” he said.

Supreme news reports that the President, International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni Association (IVLPAA), Mr Adedayo Oketola, also talked about turning waste to wealth.

At a recent training for youths aimed at turning waste to wealth, Oketola said it was time everyone changed the narrative surrounding waste in the community.

“Waste is often seen as a problem, something to be discarded or hidden away.

“The rapid urbanisation and growing population in our country are creating unprecedented challenges in waste management.

“These challenges also present us with an incredible opportunity, an opportunity to rethink how we handle waste and to harness its untapped potential.

“Turning waste into wealth is not just a concept; it is a reality that we can bring to life from recycling materials to turning organic waste into compost, amongst others,” he said.