Some waste management experts have renewed calls on Nigerians, particularly youths, to see plastic wastes as a means of wealth creation, as they can easily be sourced within their environment.
The experts made the call last Wednesday, in separate interviews with The Tide source in Lagos.
They added that sustainable plastic waste management of non-degradable wastes will not only create wealth and employment, but also make the environment healthier by combating pollution.
The experts included, Chief Executive Officer, African Clean-Up Initiative, Mr Alexander Akhigbe, and Executive Director, Recycle Points Mr Taiwo Adewole.
Adewole said apart from the lack of awareness of the benefits of recycling plastic wastes, another major challenge was the logistics for collections.
“Many people get discouraged after sorting their wastes and have to go far, spend money on transportation to drop off their recyclables,” he said.
Adewole said his organisation came up with the Drop Off Recycle Initiative (DORI) bin, where people can drop off their recyclables within their communities.
“We pick five women in each community, empower and give them the special bin where people within the community can easily drop off their recyclables and get incentives”.
“We collect PET bottles, water sachets, nylons, cans, glass, aluminium and cartons. We also collect from scavengers, who we call aggregators. They collect in large numbers because they go out everyday with their carts and pick whatever they see”, he added.