Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of LASEPA, emphasized the importance of proper management and recycling of waste oil in Lagos, a mega city with over 20 million people. According to Dr. Ajayi, each person in Lagos uses around 15-20 kg of cooking oil per year, generating 6-10 kg of used cooking oil per person, which can harm the environment if not properly managed.

Dr. Ajayi noted that improper disposal of used cooking oil can lead to several issues, including contamination of diesel fuel, damage to combustion engines, and pollution of waterways. He cited the example of Surulere, where the once-clear drainages are now polluted with used cooking oil, harming aquatic life.

Furthermore, He highlighted the health risks associated with improper management of used cooking oil. According to Dr. Ajayi, reusing cooking oil can damage the hydrocarbon chain, leading to increased acidity and potentially causing cancer. Dr. Ajayi encouraged residents to participate in the advocacy campaign, which aims to educate people on the importance of proper waste oil management.

The General Manager explained that LASEPA’s advocacy campaign will target large-scale commercial cooks, restaurants, and hotel managers, with plans to expand to individual households. The agency has partnered with the private sector to create a seamless collection and recycling process, which will allow residents to sell their used cooking oil and receive payment.

Dr. Babatunde Ajayi emphasized that LASEPA’s goal is to protect the environment and public health, while also promoting a circular economy that converts waste into wealth. With 20 zonal offices across Lagos, He stated that LASEPA is committed to making the advocacy campaign a success and ensuring that used cooking oil is properly managed and recycled.

Engr. Ayodele Anthonio, former General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), emphasized the importance of sustainable waste management practices in his address on “Compliance and Incentives for Sustainability”.

He outlined the components of sustainable waste management, including financial gain, material reuse, social impact, and environmental impact. He noted that proper waste management can bring financial benefits, regulate the environment, and create a cleaner environment.

The former LASEPA GM specifically addressed the issue of used cooking oil disposal, emphasizing the need for hotels, eateries, and catering services to install fat traps to prevent oil from entering waterways. Anthonio explained the process of saponification, where soap is generated when washing cooking oil, and the importance of trapping oil films to prevent environmental pollution.

He also discussed the benefits of transforming used cooking oil into valuable products, such as bio-diesel, through a process called transesterification. This process involves preheating the oil, using ethanol or methanol, and a catalyst to produce bio-diesel.

He concluded by highlighting the importance of sustainable waste management practices in reducing pollution and creating jobs. He emphasized that proper waste management is essential for protecting the environment and public health.

Oluwakemi Areola, PR consultant for Ororo Waste Management, highlighted the importance of proper disposal and recycling of used cooking oil. She stated the personal and environmental effects of reusing cooking oil, including potential diseases and negative impacts on the environment.

However, Areola also noted that recycling used cooking oil can have numerous benefits. “Being able to recycle your cooking oil is financially rewarding, environmentally rewarding, and can also create products such as base oils and cosmetic products,” she said.

She explained that the recycling process can be cost-effective for businesses, providing an additional stream of revenue. “Being able to offload a product that you have already used and being able to be paid for it is very important to your organization.”

She also emphasized the advantages of recycling used cooking oil on personal and community levels. “If we look at the benefits, we look at those particular areas, then we can see that the gain is actually increased,” Areola said.

Kofi Abunu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Food Concepts, owners of Chicken Republic, emphasized the need for proper disposal of used cooking oil to protect public health. Speaking at a workshop organized by Ororo Waste Management and LASEPA, he noted that the health aspect of used cooking oil disposal is often overlooked.

He commended the efforts of Ororo Waste Management and LASEPA in educating the public on the importance of proper used cooking oil disposal. However, he stressed that more needs to be done to raise awareness about the dangers of reusing cooking oil.

“Sometimes we might like the taste of our food with all the flavorings and everything else, but I don’t think we understand clearly the damage that it’s doing to our bodies,” Abunu said.

Abunu also highlighted the importance of extending education and awareness to the informal food industry, which he noted is larger than the formal sector. “Workshops like this help a lot of industries, but we need to see how we can get it out to the informal sector,” he said.