Lagos State, FBRA, Green Janitors in partnership engages in Pick-a-Plastic Campaign, to Rid Badagry of Plastic Waste

The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) has partnered Green Janitors Sustainability Initiative to rid Badagry Community of plastic waste during three months Pick-a-Plastic campaign which was launched recently.

The sensitisation for the campaign at Badagry, which was initiated by Green Janitors and LAWMA commenced over the weekend as part of efforts at reinforcing the Blue Box programme of Lagos State Government aimed at ensuring a cleaner environment.

Pick-a-Plastic initiative is part of a three-month campaign aimed at educating Lagos communities on waste separation from source and rewards for collection of post-consumer packaging waste, especially plastics for recycling.

The programme saw representatives of the Lagos State Governor, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), members of FBRA, Recycling organisations and other stakeholders in the waste management industry in attendance.

During the one week awareness drive in the ancient town by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with FBRA participated in the distribution of waste bags for the collection of recyclables (plastic, nylons, cans and glass waste) and domestic waste.

Addressing Badagry residents at the program during the kick-off of the campaign and the rewards exercise, FBRA’s Chairman, Sade Morgan represented by a Director of the Alliance, Ekuma Eze from Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) emphasised the need for all to promote recycling at the community level in order for us to foster environmental sustainability and a cleaner environment.

He said the Alliance was highly delighted in partnering with Green Janitors in its environmental conservation initiative which is in line with Lagos State Blue Box programme. “FBRA is committed in developing a sustainable recycling economy as the Badagry initiative is part of its ongoing campaign of engaging communities to promote recovery and enhance recycling through its ‘buy-back and rewards scheme as a means of mopping up the post-consumer packing waste from the environment.

He emphasised the need for all to take action on the plastic waste menace in our environment through collaborative efforts of various stakeholders. FBRA has been embarking on community enlightenment campaigns through the rewards program to reduce environmental pollution, create awareness for segregation at the source and encourage proper disposal of waste especially plastics that have contributed to flooding in most areas. It is committed to do more to enhance the recovery, collection and recycling of our post-consumer packing waste from the environment.

According to him, FBRA’s activities are in compliance with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy of the Federal Government which transfers significant responsibility to producers for the entire lifecycle of their product.

According to Director of Research and Development, LASEPA , Adebodun Toplonu Sewanu commenting on the Pick-a-Plastic campaign, he commented that this is a laudable initiative that has been established in Badagry which is in line with the Lagos State Government Blue Box programme and the mandate of FBRA through the food and beverage companies. He said ‘imagine what would have happened if these plastic bottled were not mined through this initiative today? Our drains will have been clogged with the potential of flooding, the shorelines of surface water would have half of them, tourism will not strive with plastic nuisance on shorelines, and waterways will not be swimmable and navigable. So, this program is ‘a win’ for me by improving waste management in the coastal area not only in Badagry but in Lagos as a State.

Finally, he commended Lagos State, FBRA, Green Janitors, the Recyclers, LAWMA and residents of Badagry, thank you for the collaborative efforts of supporting this campaign.

On the success of the campaign, the Executive Director, Green Janitors Sustainability Initiative, Ashade Abdulsalam, said it was quite encouraging as both old and young embraced the initiative with sense of responsibility of keeping the environment free from food and beverage packaging waste, especially plastics.

Abdulsalam in her remarks said; “The participation which cut across age segments demonstrated that the sensitisation campaign carried during the commencement of the Pick-a-Plastic campaign awakened the consciousness of proper waste separation from source among Badagry residents. It was a call to action which l believe would be inculcated in the people’s way of life, and l commend Lagos State and FBRA for their support in making it a success.”