Food Waste Poses Bigger Health Risk Than Plastic in Lagos Neighbourhoods, Says study

A community-led study conducted by the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) has concluded that food waste is a greater health risk than plastic in Lagos neighbourhoods lacking formal waste collection. The study, titled "From Clean Plates to Clean Cities," identified food waste as the larger threat due to its rapid decomposition, the risk of blocking drainage systems, and the potential for disease transmission.

Conducted between April and June 2026, the research took place in Ajegunle-Ikorodu, where the team collected and hand-sorted waste from different locations into six material categories. Although PET plastic accounted for the most waste by weight, organic and food waste posed a higher operational health risk. Most households in the settlement lacked formal waste collection, and several faced flooding during the rainy season due to blocked drainage systems.

ACRC Lagos City Manager Dr. Temilade Sesan emphasized that the findings revealed the interconnectedness of waste, flooding, health, and climate risks. The study's researchers converted an illegal dumpsite into an integrated community hub that handles plastic recovery, food-waste composting, and urban farming. The facility operates on a rotating basis, with residents bringing recyclable materials and earning cash payments, while food waste is processed through a three-chamber composting system.

The compost is used for farming, while recovered plastic is used for farm structures and irrigation. Mayor of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Gaji Tajudeen, urged residents to embrace responsible waste management, stating that cleaner cities begin with individual actions at home and improving public health.