NESREA to launch digital waste marketplace, targets 10,000 users in 4 months

BY MOTOLANI OSENI

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has announced plans to launch a digital platform—Waste Marketplace Nigeria—to facilitate waste transactions and drive the implementation of a circular economy across the country.

In a statement issued by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Mrs Nwamaka Ejiofor, said the initiative is a collaboration between NESREA and Recyclestack. The digital marketplace is expected to enhance recycling, boost material recovery, and promote compliance with environmental standards.

“The Waste Marketplace Nigeria platform aligns with Nigeria’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme and aims to strengthen digital inclusion, job creation for the informal sector, and environmental accountability,” Ejiofor said. “The goal is to onboard at least 10,000 verified users within the first four months.”

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The EPR programme extends a producer’s responsibility across the entire lifecycle of a product. It is currently operational in sectors such as food and beverages, used tyres, batteries, and electronics, involving Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), recyclers, and collectors.

The platform will initially roll out in Lagos and Abuja, with plans to expand to other cities in phases. It is also expected to serve as a key source for data mining in waste management, allowing for better enforcement and monitoring of environmental standards.

Director-General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, described the initiative as a transformative step in formalising Nigeria’s waste economy. “This platform will attract investment, create inclusive green jobs, and offer a model that could be replicated in other African nations,” he said.

Barikor added that the project is in line with Nigeria’s National Development Goals and NESREA’s mission to address environmental challenges through innovation, regulation, and strategic partnerships.