Plastic Waste Emerges as Economic Asset at Rite on the Beach Symposium

Plastic waste is increasingly being repositioned as a viable economic resource capable of driving inclusive growth, job creation and environmental sustainability, as stakeholders at the recent Rite on the Beach Symposium examined pathways to unlock value from recycling and circular economy models.

The sustainability-focused symposium, themed “Access to Resources,” brought together actors from the sustainability, education and development sectors to explore how improved access to environmental, economic and educational resources can translate into tangible economic opportunities, particularly for coastal communities and young people.

Central to discussions was the transformation of plastic waste into economic value. Participants highlighted how effective waste collection and recycling can support livelihoods, finance education, stimulate small-scale enterprises and strengthen community development, while simultaneously protecting marine ecosystems.

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Speakers stressed that scaling these benefits would require stronger partnerships, better data utilisation, innovation and inclusive policies that allow grassroots communities to participate meaningfully in the circular economy.

Founder of Rite on the Beach, Akintunde Disu, said the initiative is deliberately applying data and education to convert environmental challenges into productive economic assets.

He noted that plastic waste, especially bottles washing up along Lagos beaches, represents a largely untapped resource with significant economic potential.

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According to Disu, the organisation has removed over 30 tonnes of plastic bottles from coastal areas in the past three years, recycled the materials and partnered with institutions such as the University of Lagos to develop innovative responses to plastic pollution.

He said these efforts demonstrate how environmental clean-up can be aligned with enterprise development and long-term economic value creation.

The symposium underscored access to resources as a critical enabler of sustainable development, noting that communities equipped with the right tools, skills and infrastructure are better positioned to take ownership of both their economic prospects and environmental stewardship.

Rite on the Beach said it plans to scale its impact through expanded collaboration with public and private sector partners, as part of a broader push to embed sustainability into Nigeria’s growth strategy.