Oluwafunbi Bello 
LAGOS, Nigeria – A Lagos-based sustainability group deploys 145 recycling officers across coastal communities to intercept plastic waste before it reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
Circularity Africa launched the initiative on Wednesday to mark Global Recycling Day, targeting Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, a coastal district near Tincan Port.
Founder Seunfunmi Ogungbure says the project aims to tackle pollution at its source.
“Whatever waste enters the ocean from here goes straight into the Atlantic. Our goal is to stop it before it gets there,” he says.
The programme, supported by the German government, also extends to Calabar and forms part of a broader marine litter prevention strategy.
Officials announce plans to establish 54 recycling collection clusters across local communities, serving as intercept points to capture waste before it enters waterways.
Ogungbure highlights the economic realities driving poor waste disposal habits.
“People prioritise survival over waste management. This initiative turns waste into income,” he explains.
The model incentivises recycling by linking waste collection to financial rewards, offering an alternative to traditional systems that often fail in low-income areas.
Performance of the officers and collection hubs will be monitored for possible expansion to other coastal regions.
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Koko Maxwella 
Hussaini Ibrahim 