LAWMA urges residents to embrace waste sorting, as disposal sites faces pressure

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has appealed to residents to reduce waste generation, sort their waste properly and adopt responsible disposal habits as disposal facilities across the state come under increasing pressure due to heavy rainfall and difficult terrain conditions.

LAWMA’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made the call while addressing the challenges currently affecting waste management operations across Lagos during the rainy season.

According to him, persistent rainfall, combined with increased waste evacuation activities, has placed significant pressure on disposal facilities, affecting truck movement, turnaround time and overall operational efficiency at some landfill and waste disposal sites across the state.

He explained that the situation has also created logistical challenges for Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators and sanitation workers who continue to carry out waste evacuation under difficult weather conditions.

Gbadegesin said the authority was already working with relevant stakeholders and implementing measures aimed at improving access to disposal sites, stabilising operations and reducing pressure on critical waste infrastructure.

He urged residents to support these efforts by reducing the volume of waste generated in their homes and businesses, properly bagging their refuse and embracing waste sorting practices that promote recycling and resource recovery.

The LAWMA boss noted that separating recyclable materials from organic waste at the point of generation would go a long way in reducing the burden on disposal facilities while supporting the state’s drive towards a circular economy and a more sustainable waste management system.

‘Waste sorting at source, particularly the separation of recyclable and organic waste, would significantly reduce pressure on disposal facilities while supporting the State’s broader transition towards a circular economy and sustainable waste management system,” Gbadegesin said.  

He further assured residents that the authority remains committed to maintaining environmental cleanliness across Lagos through sustained collaboration with PSP operators, operational improvements, infrastructure upgrades and other strategic interventions aimed at strengthening the state’s waste management system.

Gbadegesin also commended PSP operators, truck drivers, sanitation workers and other operational personnel for their dedication and resilience despite the challenges posed by the weather and operational constraints.

He appealed for the understanding and cooperation of residents, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to ensure efficient waste evacuation and cleaner communities across the state.

LAWMA maintained that public cooperation remains critical to easing the pressure on disposal facilities and achieving a cleaner and healthier environment for all Lagos residents.