Nigeria’s megacity of 20 million people produces between 13,000 and 15,000 tonnes of waste per day, including 2,250 tonnes of plastic, according to a Lagos recycling startup, WeCyclers. Despite recent cleanup efforts and an emerging recycling sector, Lagos has no rubbish sorting system, and lack of public awareness about pollution presents a huge environmental challenge. Litter in Africa’s most populous city gets whisked away by the rains and waterways and ends up in piles of trash on the sprawling beaches. Lighthouse Beach stretches for about 100 kilometres along the Atlantic, all the way to neighbouring Benin. Lined with palm trees, the beach could be heavenly — if it weren’t for all the pollution. At the end of a tiring day, 230 large bin bags are piled up on the hot sand, filled with dirty plastic. “A recycling company will come and pick them up tomorrow,” Owoade Yussuf, organiser of the cleanup, said. “All the plastic here will get recycled.” Sold for $500 a tonne, recycled plastic could bring $250 million to Lagos each year, he argued. And a cleaner environment could bolster other sectors.
SOURCE: AFRICA NEWS
More Stories
Re-entry of Higher Capacity Aircraft on African Routes Shows Recovery of Hard Hit Travel Sector
For the First Time, Jumia May have to Worry about its Liquidity Position
The Pros and Cons of South Africa’s Tourism Marketing Strategy
Can Southern African States Move Further Up the Lithium Value Chain?
Dutch Energy Producer Eyes Africa Expansion
Libya’s Oil Ministry has Rejected the $8bn Offshore Gas Projects Deal
Zimbabwe’s Leader is Seeking Investment for a New National Capital
South African Poultry Farmers in Dire Straits
Travel Marketplace for Immersive Experiences Matching Tourists with Verified African Curators
Africa’s Only All-Female Solar Panel Assembly Plant Launched in Cape Town
Pope Francis Condemns “Economic Colonialism” as He Arrives in the DRC
Encouraging Signs that Corruption is being Successfully Tackled in Parts of Africa