Federal Government Unveils Programme To Convert Waste Streams Into Economic Assets

The Federal Ministry of Environment through an initiative of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with RecycleStack, has unveiled the National Waste Marketplace Programme (NWMP) that will guide the nation in converting waste streams into economic assets and provide a structured mechanism for resource recovery and traceable transactions.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, in a keynote address at the sensitisation workshop and unveiling of the Waste Marketplace Programme which was organised on Thursday by NESREA in partnership with RecycleStack in Abuja, stated that the programme was a practical step towards mainstreaming circular economy principles in Nigeria’s waste management system and modernising the sector’s operational standards.

Lawal, who reiterated that the NWMP is an innovative digital platform designed to formalise the country’s waste value chain by connecting waste generators, collectors as well as aggregators, recyclers to end-users in a transparent and traceable system, also noted that the platform will leverage on technology to create economic linkages across the recycling ecosystem while promoting environmental compliance, material recover as well as sustainable production and consumption patterns.

“As we advance towards a circular economy, it is essential to recognise that environmental protection is not only a regulatory obligation but also a driver of innovation and green growth. The National Waste Marketplace demonstrates how regulatory reform, private sector participation and technological innovation can converge to deliver environmental and economic benefits. It will foster transparency in material flows, strengthen data availability for environmental planning and improve investor confidence in Nigeria’s recycling industry,” he stated.

Earlier, the director-general/CEO of NESREA, Professor Innocent B. Barikor, revealed that the programme will create new economic opportunities by providing verified market linkages as well as improve traceability in recycling activities and support the establishment of a regulated secondary materials market.

He emphasised that through the initiative, the Agency will train and certify thousands of Nigerian youths and micro-enterprises in circular business models, adding that it will create decent green jobs and stimulate sustainable growth.

“Beyond technology, the NWMP embodies a vision – a vision of Nigeria where waste management becomes a driver of innovation, youth empowerment and green enterprise. The Programme aligns with the objectives of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework implemented by NESREA, ensuring that producers, recyclers, collectors and consumers play defined roles in safeguarding our environment and conserving natural resources,” the Prof. Barikor added.