In Ayobo, a densely populated suburb in Lagos State, hundreds of kilograms of recyclable waste recently changed hands, not for landfill, but in exchange for food items, household goods, cash, and gas vouchers.
This exchange formed part of the Eco-Circulate Ayobo Initiative, a community outreach programme led by the Lagos State Government through the Office of Climate Change and Circular Economy under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB).
- In Ayobo, a densely populated suburb in Lagos State, hundreds of kilograms of recyclable waste recently changed hands, not for landfill, but in exchange for food items, household goods, cash, and gas vouchers.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that this initiative, which is part of a wider government strategy to encourage sustainable practices, aims to localise climate action by combining public education with incentives that promote participation in the circular economy.
Waste for Essentials
At the Ayobo event, community members brought in large quantities of waste materials, including 207.94 kg of plastics, 326.15 kg of cartons, 871.02 kg of textiles, 119.04 kg of metals and cans, 32.68 kg of paper, and 80.91 kg of High-Density Polyethene (HDPE). HDPE is a commonly recycled plastic used in detergent bottles and jerry cans.
Participants received essential items such as foodstuffs, household goods, cash, and gas vouchers in return. This reward-based approach is central to the Eco-Circulate model, which encourages environmentally responsible behaviour while also helping residents to meet everyday needs.
According to information from the MEPB, the initiative is designed to inform, engage, and activate residents, particularly nano and micro-businesses, to participate in Lagos’s developing circular economy. It uses a combination of education, entertainment, and incentives to introduce sustainable living practices in ways that resonate with grassroots communities.
Unusual Partnerships, Broader Reach
Unlike previous editions of the Eco-Circulate programme held in Badagry, Ajah, and Trade Fair, the Ayobo event featured a partnership with the New Dawn Redeemed Church.
It was hosted during the church’s Women’s Programme last Sunday. This collaboration was facilitated by Mrs Olayinka Ojo, the Permanent Secretary of the MEPB, who also serves as an Assistant Pastor in the church’s province.
The event aimed to empower the congregation and extend climate awareness beyond the church to the wider Ayobo community. By working through a faith-based platform, the programme made use of existing community trust and engagement structures to broaden its impact.
Reuse, Community and Circular Thinking
The event also featured a Junk Yard Sale, where residents shared or sold gently used items such as clothing, footwear, and kitchenware at reduced prices or free of charge. This segment of the programme was intended to promote reuse, minimise waste, and foster a sense of community responsibility.
Although the full long-term impact of the programme has yet to be assessed, its approach offers a combination of environmental education and economic relief. Beyond encouraging recycling, it creates opportunities for circular practices among informal traders and low-income households.
As the Eco-Circulate programme continues to roll out across Lagos, officials describe it as a model that can be replicated to integrate community welfare with climate resilience. However, there remain unanswered questions around its scale, continuity, and the level of institutional support.
The MEPB has not yet published detailed long-term targets for the initiative, nor are there public metrics on how the collected waste is processed or reintegrated into the value chain. It also remains unclear how frequently such events will take place and whether the reward model is financially sustainable without external support.
Eco-Circulate is Part of a Broader Climate Push in Lagos
The Eco-Circulate Ayobo Initiative highlights a growing trend in local climate governance: using practical incentives to encourage environmentally responsible behaviour in everyday life.
Earlier this month, the Lagos State Government launched what could become Africa’s biggest green credit initiative, with a target to create 35 million jobs and improve lives across Nigeria.
The initiative, tagged the 80 Million Credit Float Project, aims to tackle environmental degradation while distributing 80 million eco-friendly loans and empowering millions of Lagos residents, particularly women and youth, through access to clean energy, green businesses and new jobs.
At the heart of the plan is a sweeping transition to clean energy solutions, including the free distribution of six million clean cookstoves and the establishment of Africa’s first subnational carbon exchange, a financial mechanism expected to draw over $1 billion in revenue over the next 15 years.
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“We are not just implementing a project,” said Ope George, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. “We are shaping the future of climate and economic resilience in Nigeria.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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