The Lagos State Government has urged residents to turn household waste into cash as part of efforts to promote recycling and maintain a cleaner environment across the city.
According to PUNCH Online, the “Cash for Trash” initiative, managed by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), is a long-standing waste-to-wealth programme that allows residents to earn money in exchange for recyclable materials such as plastic, cans, and paper.
In a statement and accompanying video shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced that residents are rewarded every Thursday for submitting recyclables at designated collection points.
Wahab explained that the initiative, led by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Recycling Team, is being demonstrated in Lagos Island, where community members are shown how to convert waste into income.
He said:
“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!
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 video shared by the commissioner shows LAWMA officials weighing bags of sorted plastic bottles and other recyclables on portable scales before paying participants on the spot.
The initiative aligns with the state government’s broader agenda to reduce waste pollution, encourage sustainable practices, and combat the effects of climate change in Africa’s most populous city.
