Environment
THE Lagos State Recycling Association (LAGRA) has restated its commitment in ensuring adherence to toxic-free recycling practices.
The President of the association, Dr Femi Idowu-Adegoke, said this at its inaugural conference on Wednesday in Lagos.
Idowu-Adegoke noted that adherence to toxic-free reclying practices was the foremost goal of the association.
“One of the things we have set out to do as an association is to ensure toxic-free and safe recycling practices.
“And one way we hope to achieve this is by leveraging on our relationship with policymakers to get us involved in licensing recyclers in the country.
“When we get involved, we can serve as a voice in determining the criteria before anyone can participate in the recycling industry,” Idowu-Adegoke said.
He said that liaising with relevant government agencies such as the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and other relevant agencies would help in ensuring safe recycling activities.
He also said erring recycling companies would be duly reported to the relevant authorities to sanitise the sector of charlatans.
“There are hazardous wastes such as lead batteries that cannot just be recycled without the necessary machinery in place.
“If a recycler does not have such machinery, he will be causing more harm than good to the environment.
“What we are doing is to embark on serious policy advocacy. We have been advocating LAWMA, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Lagos Ministry of Environment to quell this trend.
“We want these to be ingrained in their policy and also to be implemented to the letter.
“As an association, we have enforcement and monitoring teams that examine what members are doing and ensuring that they adhere to international best practices of safe recycling.
“When we see non-members contravening the ethics and best practices of recycling, we report them,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LAGRA was formed on April 8, 2021, to further propagate the Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Programme of Lagos state.
It is dedicated to promoting waste reduction, reuse, recycling, salvaging and composting. (NAN)
KN
Tags: Femi Idowu-Adegoke LAGRA LAWMA
