APM Terminals Apapa has partnered with Nigerian waste management startup, Garbage In Value Out (GIVO), to launch a zero-carbon recycling hub aimed at curbing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability in Apapa, Lagos.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the company said the newly established Zero Carbon Recycling Hub is part of its broader strategy to make recycling more accessible to local communities while promoting long-term environmental responsibility. Located in the Apapa area, the hub is designed to support cleaner urban spaces and foster a culture of recycling.
Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, said the initiative aligns with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and its global target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040. He acknowledged the environmental impact of the logistics industry and noted that reducing carbon emissions is a growing priority for the company.
“As a major player in logistics, we operate equipment and vessels that contribute to carbon emissions. We are increasing our investments in sustainability to address this,” Knudsen said. He also pointed to past efforts, including recycling used tyres into items like flip-flops and floor mats.
The new partnership with GIVO focuses specifically on plastic waste. According to Knudsen, APM Terminals is already integrating recycled plastic into its operations by sourcing workwear made from recycled materials. He expressed hopes for a circular economy in Nigeria that not only collects waste locally but also processes it within the country to reduce transportation-related emissions and generate jobs.
Knudsen urged local communities to get involved in plastic recycling, highlighting its potential to deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
GIVO’s Chief Executive Officer, Victor Boyle-Komolafe, said the recycling hub is powered by solar energy and serves a 25-kilometre radius. He revealed that the facility currently processes about 300 kilograms of waste daily—approximately 90 metric tonnes annually—which helps prevent around 3,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Boyle-Komolafe noted that the initiative also provides financial incentives, paying N300 per kilogram of waste collected. The project has created over 50 indirect jobs and 15 direct ones. He thanked APM Terminals for supporting innovative environmental projects, saying the initiative closely aligns with shared environmental, social, and governance objectives.
The Deputy Director of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Harry Olugboyega, also spoke at the event, condemning the widespread habit of improper plastic disposal, which contributes to blocked drainage systems and urban flooding. He advocated for more investment in recycling as a source of raw materials and income.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) also pledged support. Western Zone Coordinator Gloria Anyasodo praised the project and reaffirmed NIMASA’s commitment to collaborating with both APM Terminals and GIVO to protect Nigeria’s waterways from pollution.
