The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has issued a stern warning to property owners, agents, and private occupiers to cease illegal recycling and scavenging activities in unlicensed facilities across the state.
LAWMA emphasized the need to stop indiscriminate sorting, dumping, storing, and trading of recyclable waste within private properties and public spaces. The agency, in a public notice, condemned the increasing trend of unauthorized waste management practices, describing them as violations of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.
The notice, referencing Part III, Sections 85 and 86 of the law, reaffirmed the prohibition of waste disposal in undesignated locations. LAWMA warned that individuals or businesses found engaging in illegal recycling or scavenging would face strict enforcement actions, including prosecution and facility shutdowns.
“LAWMA has observed a rising trend of indiscriminate waste sorting, dumping, and trading of recyclables in unauthorized locations. These activities violate the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, and will not be tolerated,” the notice read.
Speaking on the directive, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, highlighted the environmental hazards posed by illegal recycling activities, stressing their impact on the city’s aesthetics and public health. He also warned property owners permitting such activities on their premises of potential legal consequences, including revocation of property rights.
“We cannot fold our hands and watch a few people derail ongoing efforts to maintain a cleaner and more livable Lagos. Property owners who allow unauthorized recycling or scavenging on their premises risk severe penalties,” Gbadegesin stated.
He urged residents and businesses to engage only with licensed recycling facilities and registered waste collectors to ensure sustainable waste management in Lagos. Additionally, he encouraged the public to report illegal activities through LAWMA’s official channels.
“We remain committed to achieving a cleaner and more sustainable Lagos, but we need the cooperation of all residents. Compliance with the state’s waste management laws is essential for a healthier environment,” he added.
On January 13, 2025, a joint enforcement team comprising officials from LAWMA’s Monitoring and Compliance Department and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) dislodged squatters and illegal recyclers operating under the Ijora-Olopa bridge. The operation aimed to sanitize the area and reinforce the government’s zero-tolerance policy on waste mismanagement.
Gbadegesin assured that similar enforcement exercises would be conducted in other parts of the state, reiterating that there would be no safe haven for individuals or groups engaging in activities that contribute to environmental degradation.
The Lagos State Government, through LAWMA, continues to push for a sustainable waste management culture, urging residents to adhere to environmental laws and support efforts to maintain a clean and healthy city.
