By Adebisi Bolarinwa, Olanipekun Ayooluwa, Ojediran Ayomide, Okereke Ngozi, Imhana Hannah, Essien Success
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Green Hub has set up a plastic-collection reward system, called the Sustainability Challenge, as a practical way of changing people’s attitude and mindset towards waste management.
Green Hub’s coordinator, Dr Abdulganiu Adelopo, noted that the initiative was created to encourage waste consciousness by allowing participants to exchange plastic materials for gifts and free meals at the university’s Green Canteen.
In an interview with UNILAG Sun, he said the initiative now has over 1,500 staff members in its recycling forum, and 125 student volunteers enrolled this year, adding that the hub has helped the university cut over 250 tons of carbon dioxide while steadily changing attitudes toward waste.
Adelopo noted that the hub is encouraging the school stakeholders to adopt the eco-friendly initiative, adding that the hub co-creates ideas with them and uses feedback mechanisms to communicate
“Each stakeholder on campus is identified,” he said.
“They are also calibrated and rewarded for the role they actually play. So, nobody feels left out. That’s why at the award ceremony, we have categories for professors, students, staff, and contractors.
“Some of them just got their first certificate in their life through the Green Hub and collaboration. So, the feedback and communication make them gel into the array of activities that the Green Hub has on campus.”
Adelopo referred to the Green Hub as a translator centre for knowledge learnt within the classroom, adding that through the hub, students get access to team bonding, co-creation, business knowledge, talent discovery, and job opportunities.
He said the hub has a programme called the “Green Social Business Initiative,” which empowers students to transform climate solutions into profitable ventures.
Adelopo disclosed that one of the student teams in the hub is developing Green Furniture for the university’s seats, customised with local fabrics.
The project, he said, is expected to generate over ₦3 million for the students involved.
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