LASEPA Begins Advocacy on Proper Waste Oil Management to Protect Environment, Health

Funmi Ogundare

Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), yesterday, kicked-off its  advocacy campaign, aimed at tackling the improper management and disposal of used cooking oil, which poses significant threats to public health, energy security, and the environment.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop on sustainable management of used cooking oil in partnership with Ororo Waste Management Limited, the General Manager of the agency, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi highlighted the scale of the challenge in the management of waste oil , noting that residents of Lagos State, consume approximately 15 to 20 kilograms of cooking oil annually, generating about 6 to 10 liters of waste oil per person. 

According to him, “Improper disposal of  waste oil leads to severe consequences, including engine damage from improper blending with diesel, contamination of waterways, and increased emissions that harm the environment.”

He cited a decline in Lagos’ natural water quality as a key example of environmental damage. “When we were growing up in Surulere, you could see clear water in the gutters and even tadpoles. Today, those sights are gone because of oil films coating the water surface,” he said. Beyond environmental degradation, used cooking oil also poses health hazards, as repeated use increases acidity, alters taste, and can contribute to cancers and digestive issues.

The agency’s strategy , Ajayi noted, involves ensuring that waste oil is collected and passed into recycling chains where it can be repurposed for products like soaps. The advocacy is currently targeted at high-volume users such as restaurants, hotels, and caterers but will eventually cascade to households.

 “We will work to create collection arrangements for homes, and residents can even get paid for their used cooking oil. It’s about converting waste to wealth through a circular economy,” the General Manager explained.

To facilitate this, LASEPA plans to leverage its 20 zonal offices across Lagos State for oil collection points, as Ajayi noted that the agency is working with private sector partners to develop a seamless logistics framework where residents can drop off labeled oil and receive payments or vouchers as incentives.

Speaking with journalists,  Kemi Areola, Corporate Affairs Consultant, Ororo Waste Management Limited, emphasised the multiple benefits of recycling used cooking oil; ranging from protecting public health and the environment to creating economic opportunities.  

She highlighted the personal and environmental impacts of reusing cooking oil, pointing out its harmful effects. 

“We have discussed the potential diseases and negatives on one’s health caused by repeatedly using cooking oil, as well as the significant damage it causes to the environment,” she stated.

Areola explained that adopting proper recycling methods for waste oil, is not only environmentally sustainable, but also financially rewarding.

 “This initiative offers businesses an additional revenue stream. Being able to offload a product you’ve already used and get paid for,  provides financial relief and encourages a circular economy,” she said. 

In her presentation, a food expert and Consultant, Bukie Oluyadi  emphasised that proactively managing  cooking oil, demonstrates a commitment to responsible waste management.

“The sustainable management of Used Cooking Oil( UCO), is critical for protecting the environment, supporting economic development and safe guarding public health,” she said