Is plastic the New Oil in Lagos?

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Plastic isn’t just a waste, as I welcome you on to our sustainable waste management solutions in urban cities blog. It’s everywhere, from sachet water (“pure water”) to takeaway packs and PET bottles, the city produces thousands of tonnes of plastic daily. What used to clog gutters and flood streets is now quietly becoming one of the most valuable urban resources.



From Drain Blocker to Income Stream

In the areas like Ajegunle, Mushin, or even parts of Lekki after a busy day, you’ll see plastic bottles and nylons piling up. For years, this was just pollution.

Today, that same waste is money across Lagos:

  • Informal waste pickers collect plastic bottles and sell them to recyclers
  • Households are beginning to separate waste (slowly, but growing), for hubs are buying plastics per kilogram

Plastic has entered the urban economy and Lagosian are earning from it daily.


The Rise of Recycling Businesses in Lagos

A number of local players are already turning plastic into profit:

Wecyclers – operates a rewards-based system where households exchange recyclables for points and household items

RecyclePoints – encourages residents to bring recyclables in exchange for incentives

LAWMA – driving policies and partnerships to improve waste collection and recycling across the state

These organizations are proof that recycling in Lagos is no longer theory—it’s a growing industry.


Why Plastic Recycling Is Booming in Nigeria

1. Massive Supply of Plastic Waste

Lagos generates over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, and a large portion is plastic. That’s not just a problem, it’s raw material waiting to be used.


2. Job Creation and Informal Economy

Thousands of people—especially youth—are involved in:

  • Waste picking
  • Sorting
  • Collection and resale

For many, plastic is a daily source of income, not just trash.


3. Industrial Demand

Manufacturers in Nigeria now buy recycled plastic to produce:

- Packaging materials

- Plastic chairs and household goods

- Construction materials like interlocking tiles

Recycled plastic is often cheaper and more sustainable than importing raw materials.


4. Government Pressure and Policies

Authorities are increasingly pushing for cleaner cities, as flooding is caused by blockage of drainage systems now forcing stronger attention on waste management.

This has also creates space for:

- Private recycling companies

- Public & private partnerships

- innovation in waste collection


Real Impact: Cleaning Lagos While Making Money

  • Pastic recycling is solving two problems at once:

- Reducing pollution, flooding, and health risks

-  Creating jobs and business opportunities


In the neighborhood, where recycling programs exist, you’ll notice:

  • Cleaner streets
  • Reduction in dumping rate
  • Creation of awareness among the residents

The Challenges Lagos is Still Facing

Let’s be honest, cleaning aren’t perfect yet.

  • Many households still don’t sort waste
  • Infrastructure is not enough for a megacity like Lagos
  • Informal waste workers often lack support and protection
  • Alot of plastic still ends up in canals and lagoons

So while recycling is growing, the system is still developing and uneven.


The Big Opportunity for Lagos

This is where environmental and economy becoming interesting. If Lagos fully invests in recycling:

  • Waste could become a multi-billion-naira industry
  • Thousands of more jobs could be created
  • Flooding caused by plastic blockage too, could be reduce drastically
  • Our city could become a model for sustainable urban Africa

What This Means for You

Whether you’re a resident, entrepreneur, or policymaker, plastic is no longer something to ignore.

You can:

  • Start separating your waste at home
  • Support recycling initiatives
  • Build a business around collection or processing
  • Educate others in your community because in Lagos today, plastic is not just pollution, it's opportunity waiting to be captured.

Final Thought

Akinyemi S Olatokunbo 
An environmentalist 



The Lagosian telling a powerful story, about how plastic we use to throw away become transformational tool of earning income.

 

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