Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
As part of the 2025 World Environment Day celebration, the Ogun State Government on Tuesday launched two major initiatives — Plastic for Cash and Blue Box — aimed at tackling plastic pollution and promoting environmental sustainability across the state.
Speaking at the launch held at the palace of the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilola, in Oke-Ago-Owu, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, described the initiatives as a timely response to the growing environmental threat posed by plastic waste, aligning with this year’s global theme, “Beating Plastic Pollution.”
Oresanya noted that everyday plastic items such as bottles, bags, caps, and cups have become a global menace, polluting rivers, clogging drainages, degrading land, and infiltrating the food chain.
Through the Plastic for Cash initiative, residents will now be able to exchange sorted plastic waste for cash or value-based items, thereby converting waste into wealth and creating new economic opportunities, particularly for youths, women, and low-income earners.
Also speaking at the event, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, highlighted the long-term impact of plastic waste on health, the economy, and the planet. She encouraged residents to fully embrace the new initiatives to maintain a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment.
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“We must confront this challenge with bold ideas, practical solutions, and collective resolve,” she said. “These initiatives offer a practical way for citizens to participate directly in protecting our environment.”
In his remarks, Oba Matemilola called for a change in attitude toward waste disposal, stressing that indiscriminate dumping of plastics not only degrades the environment but also endangers aquatic life in surrounding water bodies.
The launch marks a significant step in Ogun State’s environmental strategy, emphasizing citizen participation in achieving a cleaner and more sustainable future.