By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Government is set to roll out a new sensitization campaign aimed at promoting the Circular Economy as a strategy to diversify the state’s resources by converting waste into valuable assets. The awareness initiative, titled ‘Eco Circulate,’ will kick off on Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Badagry, at St. Thomas Primary School, Agbalata Market Road. The campaign will be spearheaded by the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy.
The Eco-Circulate program is designed to enhance awareness and encourage the adoption of Circular Economy principles throughout Lagos State. The initiative seeks to alleviate the financial impact of climate-related challenges, such as flooding and waterborne diseases, on both the government and residents.
This shift towards a Circular Economy is projected to create between 10,000 and 30,000 jobs, spur new entrepreneurial ventures, and reduce over two million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually in Lagos.
Residents will be incentivized to participate in waste-to-value initiatives through rewards such as health insurance, free public transportation, food supplies, cooking energy, and airtime/data. These rewards can be earned by recycling materials like plastic bottles, sachets of pure water, waste oil (including black oil and used cooking oil in separate containers), e-waste such as phones and laptops, household appliances, and textile waste.
The success of this campaign is supported by strategic partnerships with agencies like LASHMA, LASSRA, and the Lottery Board, alongside external partners including telecom companies, manufacturers, and markets. The initiative will extend to all 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas across Lagos State.
