By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A smart recycling hub has been unveiled at the Ojoo terminal in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, courtesy of a waste management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Limited.
The facility was opened on Monday at a ceremony attended by the representatives of the state government, the consultant, and the Akinyele Local Government, among others.
The Director of Environment of the local council, Mrs Ahmed B.D., said the initiative was aimed to raise awareness among traders, market women, and the general public about climate change, stressing the hazards and consequences of indiscriminate waste disposal, and other undesirable waste management practices.
She encouraged market women to practice waste sorting and refrain from disposing of waste on the median.
Also, the Chief Operating Officer of Mottainai, Ms Oluwaseun Fasuhanmi, said the initiative was inspired by the desire to ensure the pristine cleanliness of Oyo State, adding that the unveiling was part of activities to commemorate World Clean-up Day 2023.
She said the hub is the second to be rolled out in the state, adding that it was first unveiled a few months ago at the Iseyin Local Government.
Ms Fasuhanmi said it was driven by an admirable aspiration to inspire individuals to adopt transformative lifestyle choices that harmonize with our environment, emphasising the significance of waste management, portraying it as a shared responsibility that unites us all in the noble pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future.
Also, the Chief Sustainability Officer of the firm, Ms Deborah Fadeyi, stated that the World Clean-up Day event held at Ojoo Market was a unique endeavour.
She added that the introduction of the innovative hub is poised to empower the youth and educate market users on the art of converting waste into valuable resources, thereby unlocking the potential for wealth creation.
Ms Fadeyi said the initiative would bring waste infrastructure closer to the people so that there is no excuse to dump on the median and water channels to ensure proper flood management, particularly in the rainy season.
“The hub is aimed to promote a sustainable environment, create jobs and empower the people of Ojo community to adopt recycling as an effective waste management practice with some financial reward, with the potential to support a movement of environmentally conscious residents,” she said.
