The Lagos State Government has launched the Charity Begins at Home Waste Valorisation Initiative, a strategic waste management project designed to transform waste into economic value while promoting environmental sustainability.
The initiative, unveiled during the week at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB) Quadrant in Alausa, was spearheaded by the Office of the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy.
The event brought together government officials, civil servants, private sector stakeholders, and environmental advocates to witness the launch of infrastructure aimed at redefining waste as an asset.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titi Oshodi, highlighted the urgency of adopting a circular economy approach in Lagos, a city generating approximately 13,000 metric tons of waste daily.
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“This initiative is a bold step in ensuring that waste is no longer seen as a burden but as an economic opportunity.
“By introducing Collection Hubs across key ministries and agencies, we are enabling civil servants to actively participate in waste recycling while benefiting from incentives such as communication data, cash rewards, and discounted Cowry Cards for intermodal transportation,” she stated.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget emphasised the government’s commitment to embedding circular economy principles into governance. He noted that the civil service, with over 5,000 staff members, plays a critical role in setting the standard for responsible waste management and climate action.
“Integrating sustainable waste-to-value models is not just an environmental necessity; it is an economic imperative that ensures financial resilience, resource optimization, and institutional efficiency.
“By leveraging community savings structures such as Esusu, Ajo, and Cooperatives, we are creating economic empowerment opportunities for civil servants while significantly reducing landfill dependency,” he said.
Building on the success of the Leave No One Behind programme, which promoted climate literacy and sustainability through potted plant distribution, the waste valorisation initiative expands Lagos State’s efforts in circular economy governance.
Collection Hubs have now been established at MEPB, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), the Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD), the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), and the Safety Commission, setting a national precedent for sustainable waste management.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Olayinka Ojo, praised the collaborative efforts that brought the initiative to life.
She emphasized that beyond recycling, the project is designed to stimulate green entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial inclusion.
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In his goodwill message, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, acknowledged the initiative’s role in reshaping the culture of waste management within the civil service.
He urged civil servants to take ownership of the programme through active participation in waste segregation, cooperative savings, and advocacy for sustainable policies.
The event also featured testimonials from participants in previous waste valorisation programmes held in Badagry, Lekki, and Ajah.
These initiatives have demonstrated the potential of circular economy hubs, where discarded plastics are transformed into durable building materials, creating employment opportunities and revitalizing communities.
