By Babajide Komolafe 

In a bid to turn the tide of waste management in Lagos, Tetra Pak and WeCyclers have launched a scheme that rewards residents for recycling used beverage cartons (UBCs), promising a cleaner city and a boost to the local economy.

 The partnership which was officially unveiled at a community event in Lagos Island, received overwhelming positive response, with residents eager to participate in the scheme. 

The initiative is simple: residents collect their used juice and milk packs, deposit them at nearby WeCyclers kiosks, and receive immediate cash payments based on the weight of the cartons.

This novel approach addresses several pressing issues simultaneously. Firstly, it tackles the problem of UBC waste, which often ends up in landfills or littering the environment. By incentivizing recycling, the scheme encourages residents to dispose of their waste responsibly. Secondly, it provides a sustainable income stream for locals, particularly in a city where economic opportunities can be scarce.

Experts believe that initiatives like this are crucial in addressing Lagos’ waste management crisis. By transforming waste into a valuable resource, the partnership between Tetra Pak and WeCyclers is setting a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges.

At the recently concluded Propak West Africa event held in Lagos, the MD of Tetra Pak West Africa, Haithem Debbiche, reiterated the company’s commitment to sustainability, “Our goal in Nigeria, is to develop a sustainable recycling solutions & low carbon circular economy. And to do this we need to boost the recycling value chain and local recycling industry. Hence, Tetra Pak is partnering with key stakeholders to implement sustainable recycling and collection processes with Wecyclers, Oliver Adam and other future partners.”

While the scheme is still in its early stages, the initial enthusiasm from residents is a promising sign. If successful, it could potentially be replicated in other parts of Nigeria and even serve as a model for other developing countries struggling with waste management.