Lagos Waste Management Authority. Photo: LAWMA The Lagos Waste Management Authority says it has achieved a milestone in environmental innovation and waste-to-wealth initiatives, as Team Zero Trace, a group of intern students at the agency’s academy, converted abandoned tyres retrieved from the Olusosun Landfill into creatively crafted decorative tables for household use.
The Director of Public Affairs at LAWMA, Mukaila Sanusi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday obtained by The PUNCH. Speaking during the presentation of the project in his office, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended the ingenuity and creativity demonstrated by the interns, describing the initiative as a practical reflection of the authority’s vision of transforming waste management into a sustainable circular economy system.
Gbadegesin explained that the initiative further reinforces the message that waste materials are valuable resources that can be repurposed through innovation, technical knowledge and creative thinking. “What these young interns have achieved is highly commendable and inspiring.
Transforming abandoned tyres into a beautiful decorative table clearly demonstrates that waste can become wealth when creativity meets knowledge. This is exactly the kind of innovation we seek to encourage through the LAWMA academy,” Gbadegesin said. He stated that LAWMA remained committed to empowering young people with practical environmental and entrepreneurial skills capable of promoting sustainability while creating economic opportunities.
The LAWMA boss added that environmental sustainability extends beyond waste evacuation to include innovation, resource recovery, recycling and the development of practical solutions from materials often considered useless. Related News Lagos refuse crisis worsens as trash overruns communities Ebola threat: Lagos moves to limit passenger interaction Sanwo-Olu calls for stronger family values, religious harmony Gbadegesin encouraged young Nigerians to embrace recycling and environmental innovation, stressing that the circular economy offered enormous opportunities for job creation, economic growth and cleaner communities.
He reaffirmed LAWMA’s commitment to strengthening environmental education, practical learning and waste-to-wealth initiatives through the LAWMA academy. Speaking on behalf of the team, the Class Representative, Sadiq Boluwatife, expressed appreciation to the management of LAWMA and coordinators of the academy for providing the students with the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and hands-on experience in sustainable waste management practices.
Boluwatife noted that the project had expanded their understanding of environmental sustainability and inspired them to view waste materials from a different perspective. According to her, the experience gained during the training had strengthened their passion for innovation, creativity and environmental responsibility while motivating them to contribute meaningfully towards building a cleaner and greener Lagos.
The handcrafted table, produced from two discarded tyres, features neatly designed storage shelves beneath, combining functionality with aesthetic appeal. The project highlights the growing potential of recycling and upcycling in converting waste materials into valuable household products while promoting sustainable environmental practices in Lagos State.
Members of Team Zero Trace include Boluwatife (Class Representative), Iyiomo Oluwaseun, Ogunsami Elizabeth, Mustapha Aisha, Adewoyin Adedoyin, Ogunfowora Yewande, Hundeyin Sunday and Ibraheem Tolulope. The Director of Public Affairs at LAWMA, Mukaila Sanusi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday obtained by The PUNCH.
Speaking during the presentation of the project in his office, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, commended the ingenuity and creativity demonstrated by the interns, describing the initiative as a practical reflection of the authority’s vision of transforming waste management into a sustainable circular economy system.