In Ogun State, you may not need to throw away your plastic bottles and all other plastic remnants again as you can make good money from returning them for cash from government.
As part of activities marking the 2025 World Environmental Day with the theme; “Beating Plastic Pollution”, the Ogun State Government has unveiled two new initiatives, the Plastic for Cash and the Blue Box to combat plastic pollution and environmental degradation in the State.
The wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, while unveiling the initiative at the Olowu’s Palace, Oke-Agoowu, Abeokuta, said the innovative would not only reward individuals for embracing plastic recycling and responsible waste disposal, but also encourage a culture of sustainability and how creative thinking could drive lasting behavioral change.
Mrs. Abiodun called on residents of the State to support the initiatives as growing crisis of plastic pollutions had been affecting health, economy and the planet.
“We must confront this challenge with bold ideas, practical solution and collective resolve to have a clean healthier and safer environment which these initiative is aimed at addressing,’’ she said.
Speaking, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, said the theme for this year’s World Environment Day, was not only timely but critical for our ecosystem, economy and citizens, adding that plastic products such as bottles, caps, shopping bags and cups had grown into a global crisis affecting our water bodies, polluting our lands and infiltrating the food chain.
Oresanya added that the Plastic for Cash and Blue Box Initiatives were not just policies but movement towards ensuring a behavioral change in the State. He said residents would now be exchanging sorted plastic waste for cash and value-based items, saying the process would not only be turning waste to wealth but also reduce plastic pollution and environmental degradation, thereby creating economic opportunities particularly for the youths, women and low income earners.
Speaking, Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, called for attitudinal change from residents, on how they carelessly dispose their plastic waste as it does not only cause environmental degradation but also affects the aquatic life in the rivers.
The highlight of the celebration was the swapping of plastic waste for cash by residents of Abeokuta at the venue
