By Awyetu Asabe Hope
An environmental expert, Bima, has called for increased investment in recycling facilities, saying they could convert waste into reusable products, improve sanitation, and boost government revenue.
He urged governments to establish small-scale recycling plants to tackle rising plastic and nylon pollution, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
“Waste recycling addresses critical environmental sanitation challenges by diverting waste from the streets, reducing pollution and turning environmental hazards into valuable resources,” he said.
Bima noted that recycling capacity in the North remains very limited, citing Gombe State as having only one company that processes sachet water plastics into other products.
He said expanding recycling infrastructure would not only reduce environmental hazards but also create jobs and generate revenue for governments.
“For the women, it will reduce their level of dependency on their male counterparts,” he added.
He also warned that high transportation costs were discouraging waste collection and movement to recycling centres, worsening plastic waste accumulation in drains and public spaces.
According to him, his organisation has trained 30 people in 2025 on converting sachet water plastics into interlocking pavements, as well as teaching women how to use organic waste for home gardening and wastewater management.
Bima further revealed that the group is partnering with Gombe State University to train students in waste-to-wealth skills to promote entrepreneurship before graduation.
