A group, Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE), has asked coastal communities in Lagos to reduce the number of pet bottles, plastics, bottles, take-away packs, rubbers and cutleries through recycling,

The group recently equipped 50 women and youths from different coastal communities in Lagos on the importance of keeping their environment clean to comply with climate change, and global warming and convert waste to wealth. Founder of RESWAYE, Doyinsola Ogunye, who organised a stakeholders’ workshop at Ferry Terminal, Badore, Lagos, commended the 16 participating communities in Ibeju-Lekki, who have been collecting recyclable waste materials across Eti-Osa communities in Lagos State. She said the plastics project has given an opportunity for people in the low-income communities in the axis of Ibeju Lekki, to earn an income, while doing something useful for their environment. She appreciated the stakeholders for working tirelessly to reduce waste and keep the coastal environments clean and safe. Among communities involved are Owode, Badore, Osoroko, Ikate, Akodo and Folu among others. Ogunye further commended the team of women and youth recyclers that protect the shorelines and coastlines of Lagos.

“We are economically empowering women and youths during these turbulent times as they continue to preserve and clean the environment, despite derogatory remarks and name-calling while they do the job. “The project and recyclable materials from women and youths have been used to empower and encourage a cleaner, more sustainable environment. “We work with partners and blue chip companies to provide educational materials and tools for their children, the incentive for women and youths for better lives,” she said. Also, an environmental consultant, Martins Iyekekpolor, said recycling is an opportunity for all because the disposal of plastics can be used for different things like arts and crafts, while plastics can be monetised to empower the community financially and keep it clean. Iyekekpolor said tools such as gloves, caps, T-shirts and others would be given to new members for easy identity and work. He urged all stakeholders to take responsibility in their communities and report challenges they come across while cleaning the environment. A participant, Joseph Bantu, thanked RESWAYE for their efforts and encouragement to the team.