YCT Plastogashub Turning Waste to Wealth Community by Community.

At YCTPlastogashub, we don’t just talk about sustainability, we roll up our sleeves and get to work. From reducing plastic waste to turning trash into opportunity, our mission is simple: Help communities thrive while protecting the planet.

After the intensive training of our volunteer enumerators, we launched out in full force, armed with the passion to make a difference. 

Our team spent the 11th and 12th of February in Abule Oja, Yaba LCDA, connecting with residents, listening to their stories, collecting important data and sharing vital knowledge on plastic waste management.

We kicked off with a community-wide awareness campaign; educating people on the dangers of plastic pollution and encouraging them on better waste habits. We also gathered important data to understand how the community currently manages plastic waste, what tools they have, and the challenges they face.

– We engaged residents in practical conversations about plastic waste, its long-term effects, and the importance and effects of responsible disposal of waste.

– Together with locals, we cleared streets and gutters, making the environment cleaner and safer.

 – We sat down with market women, CDA officials, and other key voices to hear their concerns and ideas. It was an interesting conversation. The energy was high. The conversations were honest. And the desire to create change was powerful. 

Their insights will guide us on how to tailor recycling initiatives for the area.


At YCTPlastogashub, we believe lasting change happens one community at a time and Abule Oja is proof that progress is possible when people come together.

Truthfully speaking: plastic waste is everywhere. In the gutters. On beaches. On our roads. Even in some of our favorite places. And for a long time, it felt like nothing could be done about it.


But finally, Lagos State is taking a bold stand, and it’s not just talk, it's real action.. From banning single-use plastics to building recycling plants and involving young people in the fight, Lagos is showing the rest of Nigeria (and even Africa) how to get it done.


In the first quarter of 2024, the Lagos State government officially banned Styrofoam food containers, and that was just the beginning. By July 1, 2025, a wider ban took effect, targeting single-use plastics like:


Plastic straws
Disposable cups
Very thin nylon bags (Single use nylons)
Polystyrene (a.k.a. “takeaway” packs)


For now, things like water sachets and PET bottles are still allowed, this is mostly because millions of people still rely on them daily, but they are not going to be here forever. It’s a step-by-step approach.



Aside from the ban, Lagos is taking bold steps. This isn’t just about saying “no” to plastic. Lagos is actually investing in infrastructure to back it up:
New Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are being built in Ikorodu and Badagry. These will help sort, recycle, and repurpose plastic waste faster and better.


A new Plastic Waste Management Fund has been launched to support cleanups, public education, and tech-powered solutions.


Over 6,700 people have already been prosecuted this year for breaking sanitation laws. Now, that’s not small at all!

One of the coolest and exciting things happening right now is that Lagos is partnering with British innovators to turn plastic waste into something useful through a method called chemical recycling.
This is happening at the Abule Egba landfill, and if it works, it could help remove over 32 tonnes of plastic from the environment every single day! This is amazing.
Imagine the job opportunities this could create, it will be outstanding.


Everyone’s Getting Involved — And That’s the Magic


From local influencers using skits to educate people, to town hall meetings with CDAs and market women, Lagos is showing that real change needs everyone: the government, private sector, and of course, the people, you inclusive.
LAWMA is also handing out thousands of recycling bins, holding training sessions, and making sure waste management becomes part of everyday life, not just a one-time campaign.


Lagos isn’t perfect, but it’s taking real action, and it is fantastic. Bans, bins, big tech, and bold moves, it’s all happening. And here at YCT Plastogas Hub, we’re proud to be part of that mission too.
From community cleanups to upcycling training and school awareness programs, we’re turning plastic waste into opportunity; one neighborhood at a time.

Here are a few things that you can do to join this move;
Say no to single-use plastic.
Reuse what you already have; bottles, jars, containers.
Join or support cleanups in your area.
Share this post. Talk about it. Let’s make the noise louder than the pollution.
Plastic might last 450 years, but our impact can last even longer.
Let’s make Lagos cleaner, greener, and smarter  together.

Lagos Is Getting Serious About Plastic Waste — And it's Fantastic!

In our journey to create a cleaner, more sustainable Lagos, community engagement has been our secret weapon and our recent outreach in Somolu LCDA proved that once again.


Following successful visits to Yaba and Bariga LCDAs, our team spent two impactful days; February 26th and 27th, in Somolu, meeting with market leaders, CDA (Community Development Association) executives, and transport officials. These meetings revealed something powerful: a passionate commitment to waste reduction, especially among the youth.

Listening to the People: Insights from Focus Group Discussions.


 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) led by the insightful Dr. Rufus Abode, one of our dedicated project leads was held with local residents. The sessions were eye-opening.

Recycling knowledge is alive and well in Somolu.
The Residents shared creative ways they reuse plastic waste — such as making fuel funnels for generators and repurposed drinking cups at events.

The spirit of innovation thrives, even in resource-limited settings.

The youths are not just aware — they’re proactive.
Many young people expressed interest in formal training to improve their recycling and upcycling skills

Transport workers voiced strong support for environmental efforts and highlighted their willingness to spread awareness within their circles.


Despite their dedication, the residents pointed out a major obstacle:


“There’s just not enough space to properly sort or store our recyclables.” they said.


The Lack of infrastructure remains a major barrier,  but not a deal-breaker. The community is hungry for solutions and they do not seem to be backing out anytime soon.


Gratitude to Our Partners and Volunteers.


This campaign wouldn’t have been successful without our incredible volunteers, facilitators, and enumerators. Your passion and resilience in gathering crucial data and connecting with the community made a lasting impact. We see you. We appreciate you.


At YCT Plastogas Hub, we are using these insights to design more targeted and effective plastic waste reduction programs. Our next steps include:

Training workshops in upcycling, recycling and sustainable business practices.

 Improve awareness  campaigns tailored to the realities of each LCDA.

Pilot projects for small-scale waste sorting solutions.


Are you already taking steps to reduce waste in your community?
Have you created something useful out of “waste”?
Share your story in the comments or tag us online!

Together, we can turn plastic pollution into plastic potential.


Stay tuned for more updates on how communities like Somolu are driving sustainable change — one recycled bottle at a time.

Somolu Youths Are Leading the Charge Against Plastic Waste. Want to See How?

Empowering Enumerators to Tackle Plastic Waste in Our Communities.


Building a sustainable environment starts with understanding the everyday realities of waste management — right where people live, work, and play.
On February 5th, the YCT Plastogashub team hosted a dynamic training session for our volunteer enumerators, young change-makers who are passionate about creating cleaner, greener communities.


To tackle plastic waste at its root, we must first understand how waste is managed at the community level. This includes how waste is generated, separated, disposed of, and whether people are aware of recycling and upcycling opportunities.
Our volunteer enumerators are the eyes and ears on the ground. With proper training, they become skilled in:


Collecting waste disposal data
Engaging communities with empathy
Identifying gaps in recycling knowledge


Their insights will help us design more effective plastic recycling and upcycling programs, tailor outreach campaigns, and influence local policy on sustainable waste practices.


The session was facilitated by two outstanding individuals:
Mr. Amidu Muhammed, CEO of Plastibuild Creative Solution (one of our valued partners)
Dr. Abosede Rufus, a committed member of The YCT Plastogas Hub project team


Together, they provided practical training on:

Effective communication techniques for door-to-door community engagement.
Data collection and recording methods for household waste behaviour.
Best practices for ethical and respectful interaction with residents.


The atmosphere was buzzing with energy and curiosity. Volunteers asked insightful questions, practised mock interviews, and walked away more confident than ever in their mission.


Now equipped with knowledge and tools, our enumerators after collecting real-world data from local communities, the results will help us:


Analyse current plastic waste disposal patterns
Measure awareness levels of recycling and waste segregation.
Identify key areas where intervention is most needed.


We'll be sharing highlights, success stories, and impact data from this fieldwork in the coming weeks. Ensure that you stay tuned!


Let’s Work Together for a Cleaner Future. We are proud to play our part in building a more sustainable Nigeria. But it’s not just up to us, you have a role to play too.


What actions are you taking to reduce waste or support recycling in your home, school, or neighbourhood?
We’d love to hear your stories, share them with us in the comments below!

Empowering Enumerators To Tackle Plastic Waste in Our Communities.

On Wednesday 18th February 2025, our campaign led us into the heart of Bariga LCDA, specifically the lively and colorful Ilaje Fish Market.


Before we went to the streets for sensitizatiom and campaign, we began with a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) training session at the Bariga Local Government office. This session brought together vital stakeholders including CDA officials, market leaders, and sanitation officers, laying the foundation for meaningful community impact.

Our incredible facilitators, Dr. Abosede Rufus and Dr. Ifeoma Akeredolu, both key members of the YCT Plastogashub project team, delivered powerful insights during the session. Their presentations didn’t just inform, they inspired.


Participants were eager to engage, expressing enthusiasm and openness to adopting recycling practices as part of a shared mission to protect the environment and build a better world.

One of the day’s most heartwarming revelations was the realisation of the adage; 

“Age is no barrier to environmental responsibility”.


Despite being senior citizens, the participants demonstrated deep knowledge of plastic pollution, recycling, upcycling and waste management strategies. 

Even more, they voiced a strong desire to play an active role in promoting sustainability in their communities. Their commitment was energizing and gave our team a renewed sense of purpose.


Community sensitization doesn’t have to be all talk and we proved it! As we educated residents about plastic pollution and responsible waste disposal, we infused the session with dance and light exercise, turning the streets into a hub of movement, learning, and joy.
Because at YCT Plastogashub, we believe that education, fitness, and fun can go hand in hand.

Building a Better Future, One Community at a Time


From classroom-style training to marketplace outreach, our work in Bariga LCDA was a true reflection of our ongoing commitment to tackling plastic waste and promoting a healthier planet.
We’re grateful to everyone who participated, your passion is what drives this movement.


Let us stay tuned as we continue to turn waste into wealth and empower communities through education, creativity, and collaboration.


Community Action on Plastic Waste Pollution in Bariga LCDA


Lagos is drowning in plastic. Every day, our beautiful city generates 13,000 to 15,000 metric tons of waste, with mountains of plastic clogging our drains and poisoning our environment, increasing infection and diseases in various communities. This is quite depressing.

But what if we could transform this crisis into an opportunity? Yes, of course, an opportunity.

At YctPlastogas Hub, we believe we can. Born from the innovative spirit of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), we're tackling the plastic waste crisis head-on, one community at a time. Our mission is to create a cleaner, healthier, anandd more sustainable Lagos by turning plastic waste into valuable resources starting with Yaba and its environs.

YABATECH, home to over 35,000 students and staff, and the surrounding communities of Yaba; Shomolu and Bariga, represent the perfect launchpad for our mission.

The lack of a coordinated waste management system here creates a pressing challenge, but also an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate the power of community-driven change.

Yctplastogas Hub is implementing a comprehensive strategy that addresses the root causes of the plastic waste crisis and creates a circular economy. These strategies are;



We're conducting in-depth studies to understand why current waste segregation efforts fail. This research will inform targeted awareness campaigns to shift behaviours and optimize plastic waste collection.

Our innovative smart waste collection system uses "smart bins" equipped with sensors and GSM modules to weigh, count, and identify plastic waste in real time.

When you deposit plastic, you'll automatically earn tokens that can be redeemed for cash or other rewards!• 

We're developing cutting-edge equipment to recycle and upcycle plastic waste:• 

This machine transforms plastic into small strips, ready to be sold as raw material or used as feedstock for gas production.• 

This device converts shredded plastic into clean cooking gas, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional waste disposal methods.


3.  Empowering the Community Through Training:


Sustainability is at the heart of our mission. We provide training and workshop programs to equip community members with the skills they need to manage plastic waste effectively and build a greener future.

We can't do this alone. We're proud to collaborate with leading international institutions:

National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE): INRAE's expertise in waste management and the circular economy guides the optimization of our plastic waste collection system.• Polytechnic School Palaiseau and Paris-Est Creteil Val-de-Marne University (France): These institutions provide invaluable expertise in polymer science, plastics engineering, and equipment development. [photos of key personnel or facilities from these institutions if available]. Their collaboration supercharges our efficiency, improves our processes, and creates a positive impact.

Equip our team with knowledge through exchangeexchange programs.

Create great access to European networks and a great source of funding.

Implement a waste management system with help from circular economy experts.

Carry out an effective environmental impact assessment.

Are you ready to be a part of the solution? We want you to be a part of our movement to create a healthy environment by spreading the word: Share our story with your friends, family, and community.

Together, we can turn Lagos' plastic waste crisis into a sustainable success story.

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