As part of enhancing environmental sustainability, the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), in partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, has officially launched the Blue Box Initiative in the Ogun East Senatorial District.
The launching ceremony, held at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, with the theme “Significance of Waste Segregation in Sustainable Resource Utilisation.”
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of OGWAMA, Hon. Abayomi Hunye, highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of recycling, saying recycling our waste has now become a means of earning income urging residents to sell their old and recyclable items such as plastic bottles, metals,papers, and glass for recycling purposes.
Hon. Hunye emphasized the importance of attitudinal change toward waste management, encouraging residents to actively participate in proper sorting and recycling.
According to him, “This initiative is not just another waste programme; it is a transformational strategy. The Blue Box Initiative is designed to instill the culture of waste segregation at the household and community levels. It will reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, promote recycling, and create jobs within the waste management value chain.”
He further stated that the Blue Box Initiative represents a major step by the State Government to promote waste separation at source, with the aim of fostering a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Hon. Hunye added that the initiative will provide color-coded bins to households and commercial premises to enable residents to separate recyclable materials.
“We are building a cleaner, healthier, and more economically vibrant Ogun State where waste becomes a resource,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at OGWAMA, Mr. Egbemuyiwa Olatunji, highlighted how proper waste segregation can boost sustainable resource utilization, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect biodiversity.
He also noted that waste can be turned into wealth through effective recycling.
Also speaking, the Oloritun of Ijasi, Mr. Raheem Adagojo, commended OGWAMA for its prompt evacuation of refuse across Ijebu-Ode and promised to take the recycling message back to his community.
In her remarks, Princess Peju Shote encouraged market men and women to embrace the Blue Box Initiative, noting that it will help promote cleaner markets and communities across Ogun State.
