APM Terminals Apapa has joined hands with a Nigerian waste management startup, Garbage In Value Out (GIVO), to launch a zero-carbon recycling hub in Apapa, Lagos, as part of efforts to tackle the growing menace of plastic pollution and promote sustainable environmental practices in the country.
In a statement released on Sunday, the port terminal operator explained that the new initiative, named the Zero Carbon Recycling Hub, is located in the heart of Apapa and is aimed at making plastic and general waste recycling more accessible to residents in the area. The move, the company said, aligns with its global sustainability goals and represents a strong step towards long-term community development.
Speaking during the launch of the facility, Steen Knudsen, the Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, said the project is a key part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and commitment to reduce its environmental footprint.
“In line with our global ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040, APM Terminals is stepping up investments in green solutions. As a major player in the transportation and logistics sector, we operate equipment and vessels that generate emissions. We understand our responsibility to cut down on that impact,” Knudsen stated.
He noted that the company has undertaken several sustainability projects in the past, such as converting used tyres into everyday items like floor mats and slippers. With this new partnership with GIVO, the focus now shifts to plastic waste, which is one of the biggest environmental threats in Nigeria and globally.
Knudsen also revealed that APM Terminals has started using work wear like coveralls made from recycled plastic waste. He encouraged the adoption of a circular economy where waste is not only collected within Nigeria but also processed and transformed locally, thereby cutting down emissions from transportation and creating jobs.
“We believe that recycling in Nigeria should not just be about collecting waste, but also about building industries that add value to that waste right here in the country,” he added.
Victor Boyle-Komolafe, the Chief Executive Officer of GIVO, said the recycling hub runs on solar power and serves communities within a 25-kilometre radius of Apapa. According to him, the facility processes about 300 kilogrammes of waste daily, which amounts to roughly 90 metric tonnes of waste recycled annually.
He noted that the environmental impact of the initiative is significant, with the project estimated to help prevent up to 3,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Boyle-Komolafe said the project also has an economic side. “We pay N300 per kilogramme of waste collected. This helps to encourage people to recycle while also creating employment. So far, we’ve created over 15 direct jobs and 50 indirect ones,” he said.
He praised APM Terminals for partnering with small startups like GIVO and said the project is aligned with the terminal’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
The initiative has also received backing from government regulators and agencies. Harry Olugboyega, Deputy Director at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), condemned the reckless disposal of plastic waste in Lagos. He explained that blocked drainage systems caused by plastic waste contribute to frequent flooding in many parts of the state.
Olugboyega called for more awareness on recycling, saying it can generate raw materials for industries and create wealth for waste collectors and recyclers.
Also present at the event was Gloria Anyasodo, the Coordinator for the Western Zone of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). She expressed support for the initiative and commended the collaboration between the public and private sectors. Anyasodo said NIMASA is ready to work with both GIVO and APM Terminals to help keep Nigeria’s waterways clean.
Plastic pollution has been a serious environmental concern in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, with many drainage systems often clogged by plastic bottles, sachets, and polythene bags. Experts say increased recycling can help reduce the volume of waste that ends up in landfills and water bodies.
The recycling hub in Apapa is seen as a model that can be replicated in other parts of Lagos and beyond. It is part of a growing movement to shift Nigeria from a “dispose and forget” culture to one that sees value in waste.
