Proper waste management, a tool for National development – Expert

Mr Williams Osaze, the President, Society for the Promotion of People’s Rights, an NGO, on Thursday called for proper waste management to create employment, boost development and generate wealth in the country.

Osaze made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) in Abuja.

“It is very important to educate Nigerians on proper waste management, using modern approach.

“(The new approach entails) collecting the recyclable wastes from residences, markets, hospitality places and event venues and processing them for sale to companies as raw materials.

“The process is to support poor people and it can also create income and employment for all our youths.

“People who graduated from universities, polytechnics and artisans who don’t have anything doing, this can help them; it can also increase development in our country.

READ: Buhari, NPC calls for urgent investment in Africa’s out-of-school girls

He said recycling required far less energy, using fewer natural resources and keeping waste from pilling up in landfills.

He also said that plastic bottles of all types, plastic bags including pure water sachets and new electronic plastic wrappers, toilet papers and bread wraps among others were valuable items.

He listed old newspapers, cartons, cardboard, aluminium and steel cans and banners as some of the other items that could be converted to natural resources.

Osaze said that the waste management industry was one of the most controlled in developed countries but “it is obviously not regulated in most developing countries”.

He called for more partnership between government and the private sector to ensure a sustainable change in the industry.