LAWMA tasks residents on use of waste bins, clean environment

The Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has urged Lagos residents to acquire waste bins to promote a clean home and sustainable environment.

He made the charge yesterday at LAWMA headquarters, Ijora Olopa, during a demonstration of waste evacuation trucks evacuating LAWMA smart bins.

Gbadegesin stated that introducing the smart bins in the state’s waste management system was a game changer, as it would quicken the process of waste collection by assigned PSP operators.

He said, “The smart bin has added features that improve functionality. For example, this smart bin has an RFID chain that will enable us to know when it is emptied by the PSP operators. With this bin, we can know if they are working so that we can use that to monitor and assess their performance.”

“The smart bin is geolocated to a specific residence. That means when you buy the smart bin, we deliver it to a house and pin it to that house. So, forever, the bin is associated with that house. If it is stolen, we can track it, tell where the bin is, and monitor it remotely in our control room. The bins are not only smart but also durable. They have a 15-year warranty. So, they comfort every resident and are good quality for money.”

The LAWMA boss noted that the durability and ability to track the location of the bin set it apart from the traditional waste bins, adding that the smart bins were colour-coded to encourage waste separation and recycling among residents.

“Getting this bin means you have entered the new waste management system we are developing in the state. We have two types of bins: the green one for general waste and the blue one for recycling. If you have a recycling bin, you can earn incentives for the recyclables you collect.

“I urge every Lagosian to embrace this innovation. It’s 2024, and with Artificial Intelligence and other innovations, Lagos can’t afford to be left behind. If you want to be part of the new Lagos, you need to get this smart bin. It will help us achieve our shared goal of keeping Lagos clean,” he added.