The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has joined stakeholders worldwide to mark Global Recycling Day 2026, in a programme organised by the African Lending Hands Foundation.
The event, themed “Don’t Think Waste – Think Opportunity,” was held at Oriade Local Council Development Area in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, stressed the urgent need to tackle climate change as a shared global responsibility. Represented by the Director of Partnerships, Grants Management and Innovations, Mrs. Olabisi Shonibare, Ajayi noted that climate change is not confined to Lagos or Nigeria but remains a worldwide challenge requiring collective action.
He explained that Global Recycling Day highlights the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability efforts, drawing comparisons with the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as a reminder of how actions in one part of the world can affect others.
Ajayi emphasized that decisions made today will shape the future of communities, urging citizens to take responsibility for protecting the environment. He also encouraged young people to serve as agents of change by sharing environmental knowledge within their homes, schools, and communities.
“We are all stakeholders in governance, and everyone has a role to play in safeguarding the environment,” he said.
Addressing waste management challenges, Ajayi highlighted the increasing pressure on infrastructure driven by population growth and evolving lifestyles, particularly the rise in plastic usage.
He warned that many plastic materials take years to decompose, worsening environmental pollution and climate-related issues.
He advocated practical measures such as recycling, reuse, and responsible consumption. Emphasizing the concept of waste-to-wealth, Ajayi noted that recyclable materials, especially plastics, should be properly sorted and handed over to recyclers for conversion into new products, thereby creating economic value.
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