The Association of Scraps and Waste Pickers of Lagos (ASWOL) says growing demand for recyclable materials is creating jobs and providing livelihoods for thousands of Lagos residents.
Its President, Mr. Friday Oku, disclosed this during an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to him, plastic bottles, sachet water nylons, cartons, and paper are currently among the most sought-after recyclable materials.
“Aluminium cans and scrap metals were popular before, but plastics are now in higher demand,” Oku said.
He noted that increasing numbers of youths and low-income earners are turning to recycling amid prevailing economic challenges.
“A lot of youths are entering the sector because plastic recycling is creating jobs and opportunities. Thousands of people across Lagos depend on recycling activities to support themselves and their families,” he said.
Oku said ASWOL has established a youth group known as the Zero Waste Ambassadors to promote recycling and environmental awareness. Members of the group educate residents on waste sorting and collection while participating in recycling activities across communities.
“They move from one community to another, sensitising residents on how to sort waste from their households,” he said.
He added that women and graduates are also finding opportunities in waste collection, sorting, and the sale of recyclable materials.
“Many women now earn daily income from recyclable materials, while others save their collections for weeks before selling for larger returns,” Oku said.
Sharing his personal experience, Oku said recycling enabled him to raise a family and sponsor his children’s education. He ventured into the business in 1994 after struggling to secure formal employment.
“Up to today, I have no regrets. Even when I couldn’t get a job, a friend encouraged me to join him, and that was how I started. Today, I am married with three children, all of whom are in university. I do no other business apart from this,” he said.
Oku said his experience demonstrates the potential of recycling to create jobs, reduce unemployment, and support households.
He called for stronger collaboration among waste pickers, recycling companies, and waste management operators to expand opportunities in the sector.
Some residents also noted that recycling is helping to improve environmental sanitation in their communities while generating income.
Mrs. Wunmi Odehba, a resident of Yaba, said recycling activities have contributed to cleaner surroundings in her neighbourhood.
“There are fewer plastic bottles and sachet water nylons littering the streets than before. Some residents now keep recyclables aside for collection,” she said.
Odehba added that recycling is helping some households earn additional income.
“My neighbour, a single mother, is well known in the business. People collect plastics from events and send them to her. She makes money from it to feed her two children,” she said.
Another resident, Blessing Ejim of Mafoluku, said recycling has improved cleanliness around commercial areas, including Arena Market.
“Waste collectors now recover many recyclable items that would otherwise end up on the streets or in drains,” she said.
Ejim described plastic pollution as a persistent environmental challenge and called for increased awareness campaigns in schools and communities.
“Many residents do not realise that waste can become a source of income,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos Waste Management Authority has urged residents to embrace recycling as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the agency described recycling as a simple but effective way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment.
“Recycling is more than a habit; it is a commitment to a cleaner and healthier Lagos. Every item properly sorted and recycled reduces waste and protects the environment for future generations,” the agency stated.
Stakeholders called for improved collection infrastructure, increased public awareness, and greater support for recycling workers to unlock the sector’s full economic and environmental benefits.
