Lagos State to Replace Landfills with Recycling Plants

The Lagos State Government is initiating a transition from ageing landfills to material recovery facilities and waste-to-energy plants to address its escalating waste management crisis. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Managing Director and CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), made this announcement during a mid-year media parley at the agency's office in Ijora-Olopa on Tuesday.

He noted significant challenges at major dump sites, particularly during the rainy season, including flooding and limited capacity of landfills. To mitigate these issues, engineering interventions have been implemented, improving access and increasing truck trips to the landfill.

LAWMA is developing two major transfer loading stations at Olusosun and Solous, with the Olusosun facility expected to handle 2,500 tonnes of waste daily. Future plans include waste-to-energy plants, particularly one in Badagry, and material recovery facilities in Ikorodu and Badagry, aimed at processing bulk waste into organic waste, plastics, metals, and textiles.