New Jabi facility offers cash incentives for recyclables as firm pushes circular economy agenda
By DANJUMA AMODU
A Nigerian recycling firm, Chanja Datti Recycling Co. Ltd, has launched a new plastic collection centre in Jabi, Abuja, to promote recycling, environmental responsibility and green job creation.
The facility allows residents to exchange recyclable plastics for financial rewards, supporting the principles of the circular economy.
“Recycling presents enormous opportunities not only for preserving the environment but also for creating jobs, generating income, and encouraging responsible waste management practices among residents.”
— Gabriel Onyebuolise, Head of Innovation and Strategy, Chanja Datti
Speaking during an awareness campaign at the centre, Onyebuolise said the initiative was designed to turn waste into value while reducing environmental pollution.
“This initiative is all about the circular economy. We understand there are many opportunities in preserving the environment, and we can unlock a lot through recycling,” he said.
The Jabi collection centre was established through a partnership involving the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, UNIDO and Chanja Datti, which manages the facility.
Common household plastics accepted at the centre include PET bottles, HDPE containers, polypropylene materials, plastic chairs, bottled water containers and soft drink bottles.
Onyebuolise stressed that environmental protection required collective action.
“It’s not just about the reward. People must understand that preserving the environment is a collective responsibility. Once you consume something, it is your duty to ensure it does not end up polluting the environment,” he said.
He identified low public awareness as a major barrier to recycling in Nigeria, noting that many people failed to separate waste correctly.
“People need to understand that waste should go into waste bins and recyclable materials should be properly sorted. That’s why we continue to invest heavily in awareness campaigns,” he said.
The Head of Programmes and Partnerships at Chanja Datti, Martha Eginiwin, said the organisation had been working with communities to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of recycling.
“Through awareness campaigns, more people are beginning to understand that waste can generate income through green jobs rather than simply being discarded,” she explained.
Eginiwin added that stronger government policies were needed to encourage and enforce proper waste management. She said recycling created employment across the value chain, from waste collectors and logistics operators to factory workers, machine operators and women involved in sourcing materials.
The Head of the Resource Recovery Unit and Chief Environmental Engineer at the Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Sherifat Lawal, said the board was promoting environmental awareness through partnerships and community engagement.
Represented by Eyo Maureen Chidinma, she said the AEPB was collaborating with stakeholders to ensure environmental protection efforts were effectively implemented.
“These collaborations are aimed at encouraging responsible practices that support long-term ecological balance and community well-being,” she said.
Lawal added that the board was working closely with local communities to raise awareness about environmental conservation and the importance of collective action.
