Lagos Produces 6,500 Tonnes of Organic Waste Daily as LAWMA Unveils New Strategy
The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has revealed that nearly half of the 13,000 tonnes of waste generated daily in Lagos is organic waste, amounting to about 6,500 tonnes. This growing volume poses a serious environmental threat, according to the Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
Speaking at the unveiling of a new organic waste management initiative in collaboration with Proganics Limited, Gbadegesin said the project aims to reduce methane emissions, improve recycling, and advance Lagos State’s climate action commitments. He stressed that sorting organic waste at the source was essential to creating a cleaner and healthier Lagos, noting that unchecked landfill dumping produces methane, a greenhouse gas far more dangerous than carbon dioxide.
As part of the new project, Proganics has built a 200-tonne daily capacity facility that uses Black Soldier Fly technology to convert food waste into animal feed and bio-fertilisers. LAWMA is also introducing smart waste solutions, such as RFID-tagged green bins and IoT sensors, to track and collect organic waste more efficiently from key locations, including restaurants, event centres, and hotels.
Gbadegesin explained that businesses that sort and separate their organic waste would benefit from lower waste bills, reduced pests and odours, and possible financial rebates for compliance. He added that industries, markets, and food producers would play a vital role in the success of this program, given their large contributions to organic waste.
Head of Corporate Strategy at Proganics, Augustine Ogee, described the partnership as an economic opportunity for Lagos. He noted that it was more than just waste collection—it would build value chains that promote jobs, food security, and environmental protection. He called it a model that could be replicated in other cities across Nigeria.
Also, the Head of Climate Change at the Lagos Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Michael Bankole, said the project fits into the state’s larger vision of sustainable waste management. He emphasized that organic waste should be seen as a resource rather than a liability, as it can power recycling, food production, and energy generation.
Gbadegesin further highlighted how Lagos is adopting innovative technologies like black soldier fly farming to convert waste into useful products. He said the state was also deploying smart green bins to sort food and organic waste separately, making collection and recycling easier.
The National Chairperson of the Property and Environmental Writers Association of Nigeria, Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie, commended LAWMA for its innovative efforts. She pledged the media’s support in creating more awareness and encouraging sustainable waste management practices in Lagos.
This initiative is expected to move Lagos closer to a circular economy, reduce environmental risks, and create cleaner communities for residents while turning waste into economic opportunities.
