AEPB-UNIDO plastic waste training empowers Abuja waste workers with recycling skills

NIGERIA – The Abuja Environmental Protection Board has partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation to train waste workers on plastic waste handling, segregation, and safe recycling practices, strengthening the capacity of the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria to improve livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

The one-day follow-up training, held in the Federal Capital Territory, brought together waste workers and key stakeholders in the environmental sector to enhance their knowledge of plastic waste collection and recycling. 

AEPB Director Mrs Kate Ogbonna commended the Government of Japan, through JICA, for its support and partnership, stating that the collaboration had significantly enhanced knowledge and strengthened capacity for proper waste management across the FCT.

Practical Sessions on Recycling and Occupational Safety

UNIDO Project Field Coordinator Mr Charles Uzoma explained that the project, funded by the Government of Japan since 2022, has continued to support sustainable waste management initiatives, including the establishment of a waste collection centre in Jabi.

Participants were taken through practical sessions on plastic waste handling, recycling opportunities, occupational safety and environmental best practices. 

They were encouraged to apply the knowledge acquired during the training in their daily operations to support ongoing efforts to reduce plastic pollution and improve waste management across the FCT. 

The training addressed key challenges faced by informal waste workers, including exposure to hazardous materials, lack of proper protective equipment, and limited access to formal recycling markets.

Sustainable Waste Management Gains Momentum in FCT

Ogbonna applauded the commitment of waste workers, describing them as critical partners in achieving a cleaner and healthier environment. 

She expressed optimism that the collaboration with UNIDO would continue to advance innovative and sustainable waste management solutions in the FCT. 

Uzoma appreciated AEPB for its support and cooperation in implementing the project and expressed UNIDO’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the board. 

The training follows a broader context of Nigeria’s efforts to address plastic pollution through recycling and circular economy initiatives, with the training addressing a critical gap in formal waste management capacity in the country’s capital. 

By equipping waste workers with practical recycling skills and safety knowledge, the programme aims to improve both environmental outcomes and the livelihoods of those working in the informal waste sector, while supporting Nigeria’s transition towards a more circular economy.

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