International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI), a Lagos-based climate advocacy group, in collaboration with DHL, has commissioned a six-unit public toilet facility built with 15,000 pet bottles in Lagos State.
During the launch of the bottle toilet project in Ilasamaja Primary School on Thursday July 18, 2024, Olumide Idowu, the Executive Director ICCDI, noted: “The Bottle Toilet is an innovation that came up because of the issue of open defecation and talking about the issue of end plastic pollution, the number of plastics that go into our ocean is terribly much, some people are talking about how this is causing a lot of havoc for fish and other creatures in the water but we are talking about how does this affect human. So, we try to come up with a vision which is not new across the world, but we decided to bring it to Nigeria.
“A couple of years ago we decided to start working on the structure, as an NGO we don’t have that kind of resources to do it, so we approached the private sector. And what we are doing today is one of our successes of meeting with DHL, which they decided to also use as their own CSR. So, the bottle toilet actually started with packing bottles from the staffs, fill the bottles with sand, after which we started the construction from foundations to top.
“With this project, we are trying to curb open defecation. Secondly, we are trying to bring sanity which we call Water Sanitation and Hygiene to the community and the school. Basically, the bottle toilet is meant to serve the students of Ilasamaja Primary School and not the general public, and our next option is to see how we can build circular economy in this process and how we are doing that is to create job opportunities for women in the community to take care of the toilet in collaboration with the CDA and the Head Teacher of the school.
“We are going to be replicating this in other states across the country in as much as we are getting partnership with all other stakeholders,” he maintained.
In her remarks, Maureen Adibuah, Manager Director, DHL Global Forwarding Nigeria, noted that there are over 400 million plastics littering Lagos metropolis alone.
“Bankrolling this project is one of our sustainability projects because we found out that we don’t have beaches anymore, each time our vessels are on the waters we have some stops, some pet bottles, waterproof, styrofoams blocking the waterways.
“How is this going to affect us, how is going to come back to our business, how do we do something within the industry and the locality where we operate that will have a positive impact in our business, that was the inspiration.”
Adibuah said there are several ways of reducing the rate at which the pet bottles get into the drainage channels, oceans and environment, adding that putting up this innovative idea of the bottle toilet is one of them and it is cost effective as well.
“This is the first one in Lagos, probably in Nigeria and it seems that it’s working so it’s not stopping here. I have my offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, the intention is to take this to Port Harcourt and build one there as well,” she assured.
In her submission, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change & Circular Economy to Lagos State Governor, said: “In a world where environmental challenges are becoming increasingly urgent, it is crucial for us to think outside the box and find creative solutions that not only address these issues but also benefit our communities. The Bottle Toilet Project does just that by utilising recycled PET bottles to create a sustainable and eco-friendly sanitation solution.
“Imagine a world where every plastic bottle has a second life, where waste is transformed into a valuable resource, and where sanitation facilities are not only functional but also environmentally conscious. This is the vision of the Bottle Toilet Project – to turn waste into opportunity, to promote a circular economy, and to improve the quality of life for all members of our community.
“By repurposing PET bottles into toilet structures, we are not only reducing plastic waste but also providing much-needed sanitation facilities for those in need. This project not only addresses the immediate challenges of waste management and sanitation but also contributes to a more sustainable future for generations to come.
“The Bottle Toilet Project is a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and community engagement. It showcases how simple ideas can have a profound impact and how small actions can lead to significant change. By working together, we can create a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive community for all,” Oshodi remarked.
In his submission, Balogun Peter Ajayi, Chairman, Ese-Odo South Community Development Association, Ilasamaja, lauded the facilitators of the project.
“When they started this project initially, I asked questions why are you bringing pet bottles to our community here, they said they are constructing a toilet with it, I was sceptical at first but here is the end result, this beautiful toilet that they built for our children at Ilasamaja Primary School, so we say, thank you to them,” said Ajayi.
Mrs. Chioma Iwuoma, Head Teacher of Ilasamaja Primary School in her remarks said: “Having this project built for us makes us feel happy and appreciative. The students, the teachers, the parents, the CDA, the entire community, all of us are very excited with this project.
“We are grateful to ICCDI and DHL for their contributions to the lives of the children of this school,” she noted.
Many dignitaries graced the occasion with representatives from LASEPA, LAWMA, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, and Mayowa Alakija, the Education Secretary, Oshodi/Isolo LCDA represented by Mr. Tijani Adesina Isiaka, Desk Officer, Social Mobilisation Section, Local Government Education Authority, Oshodi/Isolo, among others.
By Ajibola Adedoye
