Lagos: German Development Agency (GIZ) has unveiled a transformative high-tech device to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of waste sorting in Lagos State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the launch of the device and the signing of the partnership agreement with the Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) took place on Tuesday in Lagos.
The event, which marked a significant development in waste disposal management, had in attendance officials from GIZ, top dignitaries from plastic manufacturing companies, WAPAN members, and other stakeholders. Speaking on the idea behind the project and device launch, GIZ representative Markus Wauschkuhn highlighted the untapped financial gain in effective waste sorting in Nigeria.
Wauschkuhn noted that Nigeria generates an estimated 32 million tonnes of solid waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills or informal dump sites. He emphasized that informal waste pickers play a crucial role in recovering recyclable materials but often lack access to necessary tools, training, and support to maximize their work value.
He explained that as global and national conversations shift towards circular economies and inclusive green growth, empowering waste collectors, particularly women and youths, has become increasingly essential. The Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria programme, implemented by GIZ, is committed to supporting locally driven, inclusive economic models.
Wauschkuhn added that GIZ recognized the potential in the waste management sector, leading to the development of the device. The organization aims to enhance productivity, improve incomes, and promote decent employment for informal workers. To achieve this, GIZ initiated a partnership with WAPAN, German technology firm trinamiX, and BASE West Africa to promote improved waste sorting practices with handheld sorting devices.
These devices, developed with advanced German technology and tested in Nigeria, offer a transformative solution to inefficiencies in the waste collection value chain. Central to this collaboration is the shared goal of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of waste sorting, resulting in higher earnings for waste collectors through better-quality, hand-sorted materials.
The project will begin with a pilot phase designed to build upon insights from previous data testing efforts. As part of this pilot, WAPAN members will be equipped with handheld waste sort devices, developed by trinamiX and locally tested in Kano by BASF West Africa in collaboration with WAPAN. The devices use advanced sensing technology to accurately identify and sort a wide range of materials, including plastics, textiles, carpets, polyurethane mattresses, and photovoltaic modules.
The initiative aims to reach all 774 Local Government Areas across Nigeria. The project not only provides technical tools but also delivers targeted capacity-building interventions to enhance the skills of waste collectors, particularly targeting women and youth identified as entrepreneurs with strong social and economic impact potential. Through this partnership, GIZ continues to promote innovative, community-driven solutions to systemic challenges in the waste management sector.
Also speaking at the event, WAPAN Executive from Kano State, Mr. Aliyu Auwal, stated that the introduction of the device as a pilot project in Kano has been helpful and rewarding. Auwal expressed confidence that the device would revolutionize waste collection in Nigeria, as it has been tested, certified, and proven effective in sorting various types of plastics used by different manufacturers.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event also included the signing of a partnership programme where WAPAN members would be trained on using the hand device and ways to generate more income. Other dignitaries that attended the event included trinamiX representative Susanna Loecher, a representative from the German Consulate in Nigeria, Dochen Schindelarz, and a director from BASF, Jean Marc.