Lagos: The Foundation for a Better Environment (FABE Foundation International) is advocating proper food waste sorting and disposal to promote cleaner communities. The foundation made the call in commemoration of the 2026 World Cleanup Day (WCD), observed on September 20, with community activities held across the weekend.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the 2026 WCD is facilitated globally by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). Celebrated with the theme ‘From Clean Plates to Clean Cities’, the day highlights the global food waste crisis and its environmental impact. The foundation noted that food waste accounts for between eight and ten percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, placing pressure on urban sanitation and waste management systems, particularly in rapidly growing cities such as Lagos.
In commemoration of the day, FABE Foundation members and volunteers embarked on a cleanup and sensitisation exercise in Magodo, Lagos. The exercise focused on educating residents on the importance of proper food waste sorting, disposal, and composting. The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Mrs. Temitope Okunnu, stated that the advocacy aligns with the 2026 WCD theme.
Mrs. Okunnu expressed that the event was not only about fulfilling civic responsibility but also about sending a strong message to Nigerians on the importance of proper waste management and sorting. This year’s theme emphasizes food waste originating from homes and restaurants, highlighting that over 60 percent of food waste ends up in dump sites.
According to Mrs. Okunnu, food waste from kitchens, restaurants, hotels, farms, and gardens, including organic waste in general, ends up at the Olusosun dumpsite in Lagos. She emphasized the need to shift focus from plastic waste to food waste, which is now recognized as a significant waste generated by people.
The foundation is taking this advocacy to local food traders and roadside vendors, addressing the issue of food waste ending up in canals and drainages, which contributes to unpleasant odours and environmental degradation in Lagos. Mrs. Okunnu stressed the importance of door-to-door sensitisation and advocacy to educate people on how they can be part of the solution.
FABE Foundation is also facilitating the production and distribution of compost manure from food waste, creating a compost bin in the area for residents to drop their food waste for transformation into compost at the Goshen Garden. Compost tumblers are available for residents, hotels, and restaurants to store their food waste and convert it into compost for private gardens and agro-cultivation. Residents can contact FABE for compost tumblers at affordable prices to begin composting their waste.