Ogun State Government has unveiled ‘Plastic for cash’ and Blue Box Initiative’ two strategic initiatives designed to drive a circular economy while offering economic benefits to residents.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, made this known on Monday during a commemorative event marking the 2024 World Environment Day, held at the palace of the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola.

The global theme for this year’s celebration is “Beating Plastic Pollution.”

Oresanya disclosed that the implementation of the two initiatives were aimed at reducing plastic waste, incentivising recycling, and promoting sustainable environmental practices.

According to the Commissioner, recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics and a newly released UN-Habitat report revealed that Nigeria generates over 35 million metric tonnes of waste annually, with Ogun State accounting for more than 1.6 million metric tonnes of this volume.

Oresanya said, “Of the waste generated daily in Nigeria, about 32,000 metric tonnes are plastics.

“Here in Ogun State, we recycle approximately 2,000 metric tonnes of plastic daily, thanks to the activities of eight notable plastic recycling companies operating within the state.”

While highlighting the scale of the challenge, he lamented that single-use plastics such as bottles, caps, cigarette filters, shopping bags, disposable cups and straws are contributing significantly to environmental degradation.

He noted that these materials are now choking water bodies, contaminating land, and posing a grave threat to ecosystems across the country.

“The time to act is now,” Oresanya said, in his words, “Plastic pollution has grown into a global crisis, and we must adopt decisive, community-driven solutions to stem the tide.”

Explaining the newly launched initiatives, the commissioner said they are not only about environmental protection but also about economic empowerment and behavioural change.

“The Plastic for Cash Initiative is not just a policy, it is a movement. A movement to incentivise behavioural change,” he said.

He said through the programme, residents will be encouraged to sort and exchange their plastic waste for cash or other valuable items.

He said this would serve the dual purpose of reducing plastic pollution while providing income-generating opportunities for youth, women, and low-income earners.

On the other hand, the Blue Box Initiative, which is to be driven by the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, Oresanya said it will introduce a systematic, house-to-house waste segregation model.

The commissioner said the programme is designed to enable residents to separate recyclable waste from organic and general waste at the point of generation.

He said, “The Blue Box Initiative ensures efficient collection, enhances recycling, and reduces the burden on our landfills

“The combination of these two initiatives forms the backbone of our strategy to mainstream waste-to-wealth, promote environmental responsibility, and drive climate-smart urban development.”

In further support of these initiatives, Oresanya revealed that the state government has also set up a plastic management committee composed of key stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, manufacturers’ associations, and academic institutions.

He said this committee is charged with overseeing the implementation of the single-use plastic management fund, which will support the buy-back programme and facilitate job creation across the plastic recycling value chain.

He added that beyond policies and programmes, addressing plastic pollution requires a shift in individual and collective behaviour.

“Beating plastic pollution is not a one-day event, it is a lifestyle change, a policy priority, and a collective responsibility that must be embraced by all,” Oresanya said.