The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has said landfill sites cannot serve as permanent solutions for waste disposal, stressing the need to reduce the amount of waste ending up at dumpsites through recycling and other sustainable waste management practices.
The agency explained that every landfill has a limited operational lifespan, making it necessary to adopt long-term strategies that promote resource recovery and minimize environmental impact.
Speaking on the agency’s plans, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said Lagos is gradually shifting from a waste disposal system to a resource management approach that prioritizes recycling, composting and waste processing.
He noted that the agency is expanding investments in facilities such as Material Recovery Facilities, Transfer Loading Stations, biodigesters and composting plants to recover valuable materials from waste before they reach landfill sites.
According to him, reducing the volume of waste sent to dumpsites will not only extend the lifespan of existing disposal facilities but also create opportunities for economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability.
Gbadegesin added that LAWMA is strengthening waste sorting and recycling initiatives to ensure recyclable and organic waste are separated and processed for productive use instead of being discarded.
He emphasized that achieving sustainable waste management requires active public participation, noting that infrastructure alone cannot solve the challenge without changes in residents’ attitudes and waste disposal habits.
The LAWMA boss said the agency’s environmental education efforts are being driven through the LAWMA Academy, which provides awareness and training for residents, schools, markets, estates and community groups on responsible waste management practices.
He added that the academy is also collaborating with educational institutions, private organizations and development partners to encourage research, innovation and practical solutions that support a circular economy.
Gbadegesin urged Lagos residents to sort their waste at the source, use only accredited waste operators and actively participate in recycling programmes, stressing that collective action is essential to building a cleaner and more sustainable city.
He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to developing a future where more waste is recycled and converted into valuable resources, while landfill sites become a last-resort option within an integrated waste management system.
