Hundreds of volunteers and scores of residents came out in Kosofe Local Government Area to drive awareness through the #LagosIsRecycling campaign promoting recycling. #LagosIsRecycling campaign, an offshoot of Wecyclers drive and campaign into new comunities, is a response to the growing concerns of increase in waste and a further decrease in awareness creation about the benefits of a clean environment and on recycling. #LagosIsRecycling campaign works to enlighten Lagosians on the importance of a clean environment and the benefits of recycling
The Kosofe awareness drive is the first in the series of forthcoming campaigns to new communities hosting Wecyclers operation and as well the first engagement for the newly constituted Wecyclers volunteer initiative. The awreness exercise had the full support of the Lagos state government and global market leader in the logistics industry, DHL and insurance giants.
“Waste burden seems like an increasing problem globally, while we can decide to complain about this we felt there is also a part to play by creating awareness and driving awareness and as well reaching new communities thus promoting recycling agenda which the Lagos state Government under the watch of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode wholeheartedly supports, this time we took this awareness to a Kosofe community we have just started operations in.” Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola said.
On Wecyclers role in promoting recycling Mrs Adebiyi-Abiola said; “We face a sobering waste crisis that will only worsen as population continues to soar. The government and its mercenaries have become overburdened and can only collect just a certain percentage of the daily waste produced.
People living in slum conditions without formal waste collection are subject to increased flooding, disease spread, and psychological stress that results from unmanaged trash heaps. Concurrently, recycling firms in Lagos face a supply constraint—they cannot access adequate supply of quality materials required for processing. One of the large recycling firms in the country is operating its factory at 50 to 60% below capacity. We recognized this and introduced our model which to a considerable extent solves the urban waste challenge for households and recyclers.
We motivate families to recycle plastic bottles, plastic sachets, and aluminum cans through our SMS-based incentive program. For every kilogram of material that families recycle with us, they receive redeemable Wecyclers’ points over their cell phones in return. Families can then redeem their points for goods that they value, such as cell phone minutes, basic food items, and household goods. Families receive collection reminders and rewards updates directly on their mobile phones making the benefits of recycling immediate.
The #LagosIsRecycling is one of the avenues we have created to promote recycling and as well drive the need to clean up our environment.”
This campaign is actively driven by our team of volunteers and to join the network of volunteers please visit www.volunteer.wecyclers.com
For more information about what Wecyclers is doing or to arrange to interview, please email founders@wecyclers.com