By Abbas Nazil
The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable waste management practices and inclusive green growth.
The association participated in the Workshop on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency held in Abuja.
Led by its President, Comrade Salisu Ali Yarima, the association’s delegation joined key stakeholders from the public and private sectors at the event jointly organized by the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), the Japanese Embassy, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The workshop served as a major platform for dialogue among top environmental actors, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), Ecobarter, and several recycling companies and development partners.
Participants shared insights on strengthening circular economy policies, promoting resource efficiency, and deploying innovative recycling technologies that can reduce waste, generate jobs, and create local value chains.
Discussions also focused on the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) framework and the implementation of the Plastic Pollution Reduction and Waste (PPRW) initiative, which aims to make recycling more effective and inclusive across communities.
Comrade Yarima emphasized that waste pickers remain crucial players in Nigeria’s recycling ecosystem, calling for policies that integrate them into formal waste management structures and ensure equitable benefits within the circular economy framework.
WAPAN expressed deep appreciation to the workshop organizers and partners for their continuous efforts to promote environmental sustainability and capacity building within the waste management sector.
The association reiterated its readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in driving a cleaner, greener, and more resource-efficient Nigeria.