Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Association of Scraps and Wastepickers of Lagos has called for an independent investigation and compensation following the destruction of recyclable materials worth millions of naira belonging to its members during an enforcement operation in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos. The association alleged that the operation, which also led to the detention of some waste pickers, wiped out the livelihoods of dozens of informal recyclers and dealt a major setback to the state's circular economy. ASWOL President, Mr. Friday Oku, made the demands in a statement issued on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Lagos, urging the authorities to immediately release those detained and ensure that those responsible for the destruction of the recyclable materials are held accountable in accordance with the law.
Oku described the incident as a major economic and environmental loss, noting that the destroyed materials represented months of collection, sorting and aggregation by informal waste pickers who form an indispensable part of Lagos' waste management value chain. According to him, these workers recover plastics, metals, paper, glass and other recyclable materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, drainage channels and the environment, contributing significantly to environmental sanitation, resource conservation, job creation and climate change mitigation. "The destruction and burning of recyclable materials worth millions of naira have not only plunged affected families into hardship but have also undermined efforts to promote recycling, resource recovery and environmental sustainability," Oku said. "Open burning of recyclable materials releases toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases that endanger public health and further contribute to environmental degradation."
The incident occurred amid the Lagos State Government's ongoing environmental sanitation enforcement campaign coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps. The state government has said the exercise, which has been ongoing for more than two weeks, is aimed at restoring environmental order, eliminating illegal waste disposal, removing environmental nuisances, clearing black spots and ensuring compliance with environmental laws across Lagos. The enforcement operation has involved the demolition of illegal structures and facilities deemed to be obstructing drainage channels or violating environmental regulations in different parts of the state.
However, ASWOL maintained that while it supports environmental enforcement and cleaner cities, legitimate recycling activities should not be criminalised or result in the destruction of valuable recyclable materials and the livelihoods of those engaged in waste recovery. The association called on environmental organisations, climate advocates, human rights groups, development partners, the media and other stakeholders to support its demand for justice. It urged the government to conduct an immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the incident, compensate affected waste pickers for their losses, recognise informal waste pickers as legitimate environmental service providers, and strengthen collaboration with the informal recycling sector.
The informal recycling sector plays a vital role in Lagos’ waste management system by recovering materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, drainage channels and the environment. Waste pickers contribute significantly to environmental sanitation, job creation, resource conservation and climate change mitigation through their daily activities. Oku described the destruction of the recyclable materials as both an economic and environmental loss, noting that the affected materials represented months of work involving collection, sorting and aggregation by informal waste pickers. He emphasised that the informal recycling sector remains an indispensable partner in Lagos’ waste management value chain.
The association urged the Lagos State Government to deepen engagement with informal waste pickers and integrate them into the state’s waste management framework, describing the sector as a critical contributor to recycling, resource efficiency and the circular economy. ASWOL reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with government agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Lagos, insisting that protecting the rights and livelihoods of waste pickers would strengthen, not weaken, the state's environmental sustainability agenda. The association maintained that environmental protection and economic inclusion should go hand in hand.
The Lagos State Government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations raised by ASWOL. The state government has consistently defended its environmental enforcement operations as necessary measures to restore order and protect public health. However, the destruction of recyclable materials and the detention of waste pickers have raised questions about the balance between enforcement and the protection of livelihoods in the informal sector. As the debate continues, ASWOL has made it clear that it will continue to press for justice and recognition for the thousands of informal waste pickers who form the backbone of Lagos' recycling economy.
The incident highlights the growing tension between environmental enforcement and the informal recycling sector in Lagos, where waste pickers operate in a precarious legal and economic environment. Despite their critical role in waste management and resource recovery, informal waste pickers often face marginalisation, criminalisation and displacement. The destruction of recyclable materials and the detention of waste pickers have underscored the urgent need for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to environmental governance that recognises the contributions of informal waste pickers and protects their rights and livelihoods. ASWOL's demand for an independent investigation and compensation represents a significant step in the fight for justice and recognition for Lagos' waste pickers, who continue to play a vital role in the state's environmental sustainability agenda.
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