The Lagos State Government has officially launched a new “Trash for Cash” initiative, encouraging residents to exchange their disposable recyclable items for money as part of a broader effort to promote a cleaner and more sustainable environment across the state.
Announcing the development on his official X handle on Monday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the government, through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has already begun sensitisation campaigns in communities to educate residents on how to participate.
“Did you know your trash can turn into cash? Our @Lawma_gov Recycling Team is on the ground in Lagos Island, showing communities how to make it happen!” Wahab wrote.
He detailed the programme’s reward system, adding, “We’re rewarding residents every Thursday for helping us keep Lagos clean and green. It’s a win for your wallet and a win for our city! Get involved and see the value in your waste.”
The initiative is a key part of the government’s plan to strengthen waste-to-cash programmes, which aim to reduce environmental pollution and improve waste sorting and recycling practices in all local government areas.
In a related post, LAWMA reaffirmed the commissioner’s message, highlighting its ongoing community engagement to promote responsible waste management.
“Residents and shop owners in Agege (Sango Ward) were sensitized on proper waste management and prompt bill payments. Keeping Lagos clean starts with each of us proper disposal, sorting, and zero roadside dumping,” the agency stated via its official X handle.
According to the waste management authority, its field officers and recycling partners are now active across several communities, conducting sensitisation drives. These efforts focus on educating residents about separating recyclables from general household waste to ensure the materials are properly collected and processed.
The state government said the “Trash for Cash” drive is designed to achieve multiple goals: creating a cleaner urban environment, providing a source of supplemental income for residents, and supporting Lagos’s long-term ambition to become the cleanest and most sustainable megacity in Africa.
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