The National President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Dr Olugbenga Adebola, has called for the adoption of circular economy principles to transform plastic waste into affordable housing materials, clean energy and other economic opportunities.
Adebola made the call during a presentation at the Centre for Housing and Environmental Studies, Covenant University, Ota, on World Environment Day.
He said Nigeria could simultaneously tackle its waste management and housing challenges by converting plastic waste into valuable resources through recycling and sustainable construction technologies.
According to him, waste should no longer be viewed as a nuisance but as a resource capable of creating wealth, jobs and environmental sustainability.
“Waste is not waste until it is wasted. We do not have a waste problem; we have a resource misplaced in the wrong place and in the wrong hands,” he said.
The expert urged Nigerians to stop indiscriminate disposal of waste and embrace waste segregation at source to enhance recycling and resource recovery.
He said waste could broadly be classified into recyclables, combustibles and compostables.
According to him, recyclable materials such as plastics, paper, glass, aluminium and textiles can be transformed into new products, while other waste streams can be converted into energy and organic products.
The AWAMN president said plastic pollution remained one of the major environmental challenges facing Nigeria, particularly in urban centres such as Lagos.
He noted that plastic waste frequently clogs drainage channels and waterways, contributing to flooding and environmental degradation.
The expert urged Nigerians to envision cities where drains and waterways remain free of waste because materials are collected and processed directly from households and businesses.
According to him, efficient waste management promotes environmental sustainability, public health and climate resilience.
He described effective waste collection and recycling as a form of preventive healthcare capable of reducing the incidence of malaria, cholera, food poisoning and other sanitation-related diseases.
He explained that blocked drains create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, while poorly managed waste attracts rodents, flies and disease-causing organisms.
“Effective and efficient waste management is free healthcare service because it prevents diseases before they occur,” he said.
The expert said plastic waste could also be converted into biofuels and other alternative energy products capable of supporting Nigeria’s energy needs.
He noted that Nigeria generates more than 60,000 tonnes of waste daily, with plastics accounting for a significant portion of the volume.
According to him, Lagos alone produces thousands of tonnes of waste every day, much of which ends up polluting the environment.
The AWAMN president showcased prototype housing structures constructed from recycled plastic materials and described them as durable, aesthetically appealing and environmentally friendly.
He said recycled plastics could be processed into building materials using thermoplastic technology or cement-based composite systems.
According to him, thermoplastic construction materials can contain up to 70 per cent recycled plastic mixed with sand to produce durable building components.
The expert said widespread adoption of recycled construction materials would help address Nigeria’s housing deficit while reducing environmental pollution.
He commended Covenant University’s Centre for Housing and Environmental Studies for promoting innovative solutions linking environmental sustainability and housing development.
The AWAMN president said Nigeria already has several policy frameworks supporting sustainable waste management and circular economy practices.
He listed them as the National Environmental Policy on Solid Waste Management, the Extended Producer Responsibility framework and the Nigerian Circular Economy Roadmap launched in 2024.
He, however, expressed concern over weak implementation of existing policies.
“Nigeria has many good policies, but implementation remains a challenge,” he said.
The expert called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, improved standards and updated building regulations to support the use of recycled materials in construction.
According to him, there is also a need for increased investment in recycling infrastructure and processing facilities.
He said plastic recycling remains capital-intensive due to transportation and logistics costs associated with collecting large volumes of lightweight materials.
The AWAMN president urged government to provide incentives for recycling companies and developers investing in sustainable housing projects.
He also advocated green building incentives and policies that encourage circular housing systems.
According to him, government should mandate the use of recycled materials in selected housing and infrastructure projects.
He noted that several European countries already require manufacturers to incorporate significant percentages of recycled materials into new products.
The expert urged private developers to partner with waste collectors and recyclers to integrate recycled materials into roofing sheets, partitions, pavements and other building components.
He disclosed that AWAMN had partnered with the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) to establish waste management and recycling training programmes for retiring military personnel.
According to him, the initiative equips service personnel with practical skills in waste management, recycling and environmental entrepreneurship.
The AWAMN president also challenged universities and research institutions to intensify studies on the performance, durability and safety of recycled construction materials.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between researchers, industry operators and policymakers to commercialise innovative solutions.
According to him, Nigeria must bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation.
The expert urged educational institutions to promote environmental awareness and waste management education among young people.
He said inculcating environmental values at an early age would help build a culture of responsible waste management and sustainability.
The AWAMN president proposed a long-term national vision focused on sustainable housing and circular economy development.
According to him, increased recycling and adoption of sustainable construction practices could reduce plastic pollution, create jobs and expand access to affordable housing.
He projected that millions of jobs could be created across waste collection, recycling, manufacturing and construction value chains.
The expert said Nigeria has the potential to become a leading African model for integrating waste management with affordable housing development.
“The time to transition from conventional housing to modular sustainable housing is now. Let us turn plastic waste into plastic purpose,” he said.
He cited international examples of products manufactured from recycled materials, including sports jerseys, bicycles and clothing, as evidence of the economic value of recycling.
The AWAMN president urged governments, businesses, researchers and citizens to work together to build a circular economy that converts waste into opportunities for sustainable development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of award to Adebola for environmental stewardship.
