Plastic Waste Management Project Yielding Results, Says UNDP-GEF SGP

The United Nations Development Programme-Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP-GEF SGP) has said ongoing investments in plastic waste management and environmental innovation are beginning to yield measurable results, with a reduction in the volume of plastic waste reaching major dump sites in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Coordinator of the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme, Mr. Ibironke Olubamise, disclosed this during a field visit to one of Abuja’s largest waste disposal facility at Gosa dump site, as part of activities under the Digital Peers International (DPI)-SGP 2.0 Plastic Waste Management Project.

According to her, the programme supports environmental initiatives that promote sustainable waste management, innovation and community-driven solutions to growing environmental challenges.

She described plastic pollution as a global challenge requiring collective action, noting that efforts initiated under the project over the past three to four years are already producing positive outcomes.

She said officials managing the waste facility confirmed that the quantity of plastic waste arriving at the site had declined significantly compared to previous years. “Plastic is everybody’s problem. It is not just an environmental issue; it affects all of us. That is why we continue to support projects that can create a positive environmental impact,” he added.

She further highlighted the economic opportunities within the recycling sector, noting that young innovators are already converting waste into valuable products such as paving stones, furniture, jewellery and other reusable materials.

“There are enormous opportunities in the waste-to-wealth value chain. We have seen young people producing chairs, tables and other products from recycled plastics. If properly developed, these innovations can create jobs and generate income,” he said. She also referenced successful recycling initiatives in other parts of the country, including a waste museum project in Oyo State where discarded materials are transformed into marketable products.

For Abdullahi Suleiman Exhin, the journey into recycling began with a challenge close to home. The participant recalled how persistent flooding in his Kuje community, caused largely by blocked drainage channels and indiscriminate waste disposal, inspired him to take action. Today, he collects and recycles plastic waste into interlocking paving stones, combining environmental sustainability with entrepreneurship. He called for greater investment in youth-driven innovations, noting that waste management presents significant opportunities for job creation and community development.

During the visit, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Peers International, Dr. Ibukun Odusote, said the excursion was designed to expose participants to practical waste management realities and inspire innovative solutions.

She explained that the project team brought young participants to the dump site to better understand the scale of waste generation, waste composition and opportunities for recycling, resource recovery and renewable energy development.

“This visit is intended to help young people identify opportunities within the waste management sector. Beyond plastics, there is a significant volume of organic waste that can be converted into valuable products, including energy and agricultural inputs,” she said.

Odusote noted that data management remains a major challenge within Nigeria’s waste management sector and urged young innovators to develop solutions that could support government agencies and environmental institutions.

“We are beginning to see enterprises emerging from the awareness and training efforts. Our goal is to continue supporting young people with innovative ideas and connecting them to opportunities that can help them scale their solutions,” she said.