…call to End Plastic Pollution

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has called on residents to adopt proper waste management practices during and after the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, in a bid to sustain a clean and healthy environment across the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, assured Lagosians of the agency’s readiness to manage the anticipated increase in waste generation during the Sallah period.

He stated that waste management services would be available across all designated routes to ensure efficient evacuation of refuse in every part of the city.

“Eid-el-Kabir is a season of joy, gratitude, and communal harmony. While residents celebrate, we must all remain mindful of our civic duties, especially regarding the environment,” Gbadegesin said. “Proper handling and disposal of animal waste, food remnants, and packaging materials are non-negotiable if we are to maintain the hygiene standards we all desire.”

He noted that LAWMA officials and enforcement teams would be on the ground to monitor field operations and waste disposal activities across the metropolis to ensure compliance with established environmental guidelines.

The LAWMA boss also warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians, drainage channels, and open spaces, stating that such actions pose serious public health risks and would attract sanctions. He urged butchers and livestock dealers to use approved slaughter facilities to prevent environmental contamination and uphold public health standards.

While extending warm wishes to the Muslim faithful for a peaceful and joyful celebration, Dr. Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to environmental cleanliness beyond festive periods. He urged residents to cooperate with the Authority by properly bagging and containerising their waste and ensuring timely disposal through assigned PSP operators.

In a related development, LAWMA joined the global community to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day, celebrated every June 5. This year’s theme, “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” highlights the urgent need to address the environmental threats posed by plastic waste.

Dr. Gbadegesin emphasized that the theme aligns with LAWMA’s mission to make Lagos a cleaner, healthier city through sustained efforts to combat plastic pollution. “Environmental restoration is not a one-time event but a continuous process that begins with individual responsibility and community engagement,” he noted.

As part of its commemoration activities, the agency has launched a series of advocacy campaigns and clean-up initiatives in collaboration with schools, environmental stakeholders, and community-based organizations.

Gbadegesin called on market associations, religious leaders, and neighborhood groups to educate their members on small daily actions—such as clearing gutters, separating recyclables, and discouraging street dumping—that contribute to long-term environmental sustainability.

He concluded by encouraging all Lagos residents to use World Environment Day 2025 as an opportunity to recommit to a cleaner, more sustainable future, and to support government efforts in restoring and protecting the ecosystem that supports life and livelihoods in the state.