Cleaning Up After a Detty December

Kenny Akintola 

The festive season in Lagos, fondly dubbed “Detty December,” is a time of unbridled celebrations. From star-studded concerts and elaborate weddings to family reunions and beach parties, the city comes alive with a vibrancy that is uniquely Lagosian. But when the music fades, the decorations come down, and visitors leave, Lagos faces a significant challenge: the staggering volume of waste left behind.

Every year, the aftermath of this festive frenzy tests the resilience of Lagos’ waste management systems. The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), alongside private waste disposal companies, works tirelessly to manage the surge in garbage. Yet, the scale of the problem is monumental. Streets, drains, and public spaces are often littered with food waste, party remnants, and, most notably, plastics—water sachets, disposable cups, straws, and bottles.

The Scale of the Challenge

To put things into perspective, Lagos generates over 13,000 metric tons of waste daily on a regular day. During the December holidays, this figure rises dramatically. The increased activities—pop-up events, street carnivals, and open-air parties—leave behind piles of waste that clog drains, worsen traffic conditions, and pollute the environment.

LAWMA often steps up its street-sweeping efforts and deploys extra personnel during the season, but the root of the problem remains: how do we prevent such an overwhelming amount of waste in the first place?

The Plastic Problem

Single-use plastics are at the heart of the waste crisis. Plastics are cheap, convenient, and omnipresent during celebrations, but they have long-lasting consequences. Most plastics take centuries to decompose and often end up in Lagos’ drainage systems, exacerbating flooding risks during the rainy season. Plastic waste also finds its way into the Atlantic Ocean, harming marine life and affecting the fishing communities that depend on these waters.

The lack of an effective recycling culture in Lagos compounds the problem. Although there are efforts by private organizations to set up recycling hubs and incentivize waste collection, they are far from meeting the city’s needs. Poor public awareness about recycling and inadequate government support make it difficult to manage plastic waste effectively.

The Recycling Opportunity

Despite these challenges, the surge in waste presents an opportunity to rethink and restructure Lagos’ waste management and recycling systems. The global demand for recycled materials, especially plastics, has created new avenues for economic growth. Recycling not only reduces the burden on landfills but also provides raw materials for industries, creates jobs, and generates income for informal waste pickers.

In Lagos, several startups and NGOs are already making strides in this space. Organizations like Wecyclers and RecyclePoints have introduced reward-based recycling programs, encouraging residents to exchange recyclables for points, which can be redeemed for cash or household goods. These initiatives have proven that with the right incentives, Lagosians can actively participate in waste management.

Public-private partnerships could play a key role in scaling these efforts. By investing in recycling infrastructure, creating policies that mandate waste separation, and offering tax breaks to businesses in the recycling industry, the Lagos State Government can foster a more sustainable system.

What Residents Can Do

Waste management is not solely the government’s responsibility. Every resident has a role to play in keeping Lagos clean. Here are practical steps:

1.  Adopt the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Avoid single-use plastics, reuse items like bags and bottles, and recycle what you can.

2.  Participate in Community Initiatives: Engage with local recycling programs and educate neighbors about the benefits of sorting waste.

3.  Support Eco-Friendly Businesses: Patronize companies that produce eco-friendly or recycled products to encourage sustainability in the marketplace.

Policy Interventions Needed

While individual efforts matter, systemic changes are crucial to solving the waste problem on a larger scale. The government can implement policies such as:

•   Bans on Single-Use Plastics: Restrict the use of certain plastics, such as straws and polythene bags, as has been done in some other countries.

•   Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Require manufacturers to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their products, including their disposal.

•   Mandatory Waste Sorting: Introduce laws that make waste separation at the source a non-negotiable practice for households and businesses.

A Cleaner Future for Lagos

The aftermath of “Detty December” is a reminder of the environmental cost of our celebrations. Yet, it also presents an opportunity to change the narrative. By fostering a culture of recycling, investing in waste management infrastructure, and promoting individual responsibility, Lagos can turn this seasonal challenge into a long-term win for its environment and economy.

As we step into the new year, let’s commit to building a Lagos that is not just vibrant and festive, but also clean and sustainable. Together, we can ensure that the “Centre of Excellence” lives up to its name—not just during December but all year round. Until next time stay positive stay safe . 

Kenny Akintola 

Chief facility officer 

Express business support ltd (EBS)