By Favour Pius
Nigeria’s growing recycling industry is creating new income streams for informal workers, with scavengers now earning as much as N400,000 monthly amid rising demand for recyclable materials.
Findings across major urban centres, including Lagos and Abuja, show that waste pickers—commonly known as scavengers—are benefiting from increased activity in the recycling value chain driven by environmental awareness, industrial demand and rising commodity prices.
Industry operators say materials such as plastics, metals and cartons are now in high demand by recycling firms, pushing up prices and improving the earnings potential of collectors who serve as the first link in the supply chain.
A waste aggregator in Lagos noted that organised scavengers who operate within structured collection networks and supply consistently to recycling companies are able to generate significantly higher income compared to those working independently.
“Some of them earn between N200,000 and N400,000 monthly depending on the volume and type of materials they collect. Plastics and aluminium are particularly lucrative at the moment,” the operator said.
From an industry perspective, stakeholders say the informal recycling segment is gradually evolving into a more structured ecosystem, supported by private sector investment and government-backed environmental initiatives.
Experts note that the sector’s growth is being fuelled by the need to address Nigeria’s mounting waste challenge while creating jobs and promoting a circular economy.
“The recycling industry is becoming a key contributor to both environmental sustainability and livelihoods. What we are seeing is the gradual formalisation of an activity that was previously overlooked,” an environmental consultant said.
However, despite rising earnings, scavengers continue to face challenges including poor working conditions, health risks and lack of social protection.
Analysts argue that integrating waste pickers into formal waste management systems through cooperatives, training and access to finance could further enhance productivity and income stability.
They also emphasise the need for policy support to scale recycling infrastructure, improve waste segregation and encourage investment in processing facilities.
With Nigeria generating millions of tonnes of waste annually, stakeholders believe the recycling industry holds significant potential for economic growth, job creation and environmental management.
As demand for recyclable materials continues to rise, the sector is expected to attract more participants, transforming what was once seen as a marginal activity into a viable and increasingly profitable business segment.
