By Hauwa Ali
A Lagos-based be Recycling company, Trashusers, in collaboration with Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), has sensitized residents of Barbwire community in Lekki area of Lagos State on the importance of recycling and the need to rid the environment of biodegradable waste like plastic which stays in the environment for millions of years.
The sensitization program which combines with beach clean up exercise was done in commemoration of World Clean Up day, September 17.
Nature news reports that World Clean Up day is an annual global social action program aimed at combating the global solid waste problem, including the problem of marine debris.
Speaking at the event, Mrs.Yetunde Atoyebi, Zonal Director, LASEPA Zonal Office Lekki, enlightened the residents on the gainsof taking up recycling as a way of life and business.
“Plastic is money, plastic is wealth! We would just have said, LAWMA, come and carry these trash, but not anymore. So we’re enlightening you, whenever you go to a restaurant, and eat or drink in pretty bottles, don’t trash them. Take the plastic asking with you and pile it up. When you have a full bag, that’s 1kg. Then you collect money. You can also do send it to Pakam (a waste management software application that connects recyclable waste real-time to recyclers at just a click). Pakam is really nice. So keep piling your waste!” she said.
“You can have up to 50,000 to 100,000, it’s a lot of money.” She urged the residents.
Atoyebi also urged the keep cleaning the environment especially the beach which is in their locality. She enlightened the residents of leaving waste, especially plastic in the ocean.
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“Anytime you condition have fun with your friends, before you have fun, gather and clean up the beach. Do you know why? Because some waste especially plastic don’t degrade. They can be there forever, thousands and millions of years. So if we don’t clean up the beach, the whales will eat up the plastics and die. I’m generations to come, there would only be pictures to look at because there would be no more whales. So we need to care for these animals.” She said.
Atoyebi further reminded the residents of climate change and global warming which has increased and become a serious threat globally.
Speaking to NatureNews, the communications officer, Trashusers Services, Mrs Ama Mercy Samuel said that the company is aiming to raise up a nation of environmental-conscious people.
“We are here today to clean up the ocean and extend a bit to the environment. We have sensitised community members on cleaning up and taking recycling seriously. As a Social Enterprise, what we’re trying to do is to raise up a nation of environmental-conscious people by getting the youths updated and sensitized. We also go to schools to educate the kids as well. Collectively, we believe we can change our world.” She said.
The CEO, TrashUsers services, Mr Seun Bode also gave an insight into the company.
“The journey started six years ago, with a group of five young people serving as volunteers. We have been able to carried out over 30 events, which includes ocean cleanup, community sensitisation, kids Upcycling. Presently we have over 150 volunteers.” He said.
While explaining what kid Upcycling is Bode said: “The kids Upcycling part of Trashusers Services is where we teach children how they could turn their daily waste into artifact e.g flowerfask, pencil cases etc.”
The World Clean Up Day unites volunteers, government’s and organizations in various countries to take action on the global waste problem and build a sustainable world.
