The Lagos State Government is set to launch a sensitisation initiative aimed at promoting the Circular Economy as a solution to diversify the state’s resources by transforming waste into valuable assets.
The awareness campaign themed “Eco Circulate” will commence in Badagry on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at St. Thomas Primary School, Agbalata Market Road, led by the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy.
The Eco-Circulate programme is designed to increase awareness and adoption of the Circular Economy across Lagos State. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden of climate impacts, such as flooding and waterborne diseases, on both the government and citizens.
The Circular Economy has the potential to create 10,000 to 30,000 jobs, foster new entrepreneurship, and cut over two million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually in Lagos State.
The programme will incentivise residents to participate in waste-to-value initiatives, offering rewards like health insurance, free public transport, foodstuffs, cooking energy, and airtime/data in exchange for recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, sachets of pure water, waste oil (black oil and used cooking oil in separate containers), e-waste such as phones, laptops, household appliances as well as textile waste.
Strategic partnerships with LASHMA, LASSRA, the Lottery Board, and external partners like telecom companies, manufacturers, and markets have been established to ensure the program’s success. The campaign will extend across all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State.