Nigeria faces many enviromental problems and one of the most alarming is rubbish problem. Today the country is looking at innovative ways to deal with it and even to benefit from the current situation

Nigeria faces many enviromental problems and one of the most alarming is rubbish problem. Today the country is looking at innovative ways to deal with it and even to benefit from the current situation

Lagos has a history of being overcrowded, chaotic and dirty. Today it’s home to close to 20 million people and it’s a massive challenge to keep this densely populated city clean.

But some progress is being made and it’s sparkling off innovation. Teams like this from the recyclers’ company got neighborhoods picking up waste for recycling.

They get residents to sign up to sort their used cans and plastic bottles. And for using this service the people accumulate points which can be used later to regain gifts, small incentives to encourage public participation in recyclng.

Recyclers are working in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority using processing sites to sort the bottles and the cans. The materials are then sold to recycling companies.

As the population in Lagos grows so does its waste, the city generates an estimated 12,000 tons of rubbish every single day much of which is brought to dump sites. Should be this the final stage or can Lagos get more out of it unwanted material?

Lagos state is now experimenting with a plan to collect organic waste from markets to generate energy. The rotting fruits and vegetables are crushed and left to ferment. The power is then used to light up the market at night.

Electricity is already in short supply nationwide, so if this plan works it could meet a pressing need. Nigeria could develop a new industry turning waste into energy.