Ondo Govt to install 10 plastic waste drop-off points in Akure, others

By Kemi Olatunde
In a concerted effort to tackle the growing menace of plastic pollution, the Ondo State Government has announced plans to install 10 plastic waste drop-off facilities across strategic locations in Akure, the state capital.
This initiative is expected to be replicated in other major towns and cities across the state.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa made this disclosure during an address to traders at the popular Oja Oba Market in Akure on Thursday, as part of activities marking the 2025 World Environment Day (WED).
Speaking through the Administrative Secretary of the Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency (OSEPA), Mrs. Funke Adeoye, the governor described World Environment Day as the largest annual celebration of environmental consciousness globally, which holds every June 5.
He stressed that the day serves as a rallying point for governments, industries, communities, individuals, NGOs and civil society organisations to embrace sustainable alternatives in curbing plastic pollution and the rampant use of single-use plastics.
The governor stated that the essence of the event is to draw attention to environmental issues and empower both individuals and corporate bodies to renew their commitment to eco-friendly practices aimed at building a cleaner and greener society.
According to him, “Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most dangerous forms of pollution in recent times. It’s in the water we drink and the food we eat. It’s destroying our beaches and turning into a global emergency that affects every aspect of human life.”
He revealed that over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, with less than 10 percent recycled.
He lamented that no fewer than 11 million tonnes of plastic waste find their way into oceans and rivers annually, adding that, “In the last decade alone, the world has produced more plastic than it did in the entire previous century. We purchase one million plastic bottles every minute, and plastic accounts for 10 percent of all waste generated.”
Aiyedatiwa further disclosed that the state government is in partnership with a private recycling firm located in Igbatoro to mitigate the effects of plastic waste and convert it into wealth creation avenues for the state.
He urged major plastic producers and distributors in the state to adopt global best practices to ensure that the environment remains safe and conducive for all.
In his welcome address, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olumide Kinga, expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
He commended the governor’s passion for development, citing the ongoing beautification of Fasoranti Park in Alagbaka and the flag-off of the 10-kilometre dualisation of the Akure-Idanre Road as testament to his dedication to a sustainable environment.
Kinga highlighted that the 2025 WED theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution”, underscores the importance of a healthy environment for human well-being, marine life, and ecosystem stability.
He stated that the theme aims to sensitise the public on the urgent need to reduce plastic production and consumption, encourage sustainable reuse, and discourage indiscriminate dumping into water bodies, which contributes to erosion, flooding, and loss of lives and property.
“Over the past ten years, more plastic has been produced than throughout the previous century. Alarmingly, fifty percent of all plastic used is disposed of after a single use. Plastics constitute over 10 percent of global waste, with only a small fraction recycled.