In the bustling streets of Port Harcourt, a silent workforce is transforming the city’s waste into economic opportunity. Dozens of young men, often referred to as aboki, roam the roads with large sacks slung over their shoulders, bending to pick discarded plastic bottles from gutters, refuse heaps, and roadside drains. Though often overlooked, these bottle pickers are playing a crucial role in Nigeria’s growing informal recycling sector.
Amid rising unemployment and worsening environmental pollution, their work is more than a means of survival — it has become a lifeline for both the economy and the environment. Experts say these informal recyclers could hold the key to a cleaner Nigeria and a more inclusive economy.
Speaking with our reporter, 37-year-old Musa Ibrahim shared his experience after four years in the bottle-picking business.
“I gather bottles from morning till evening. I sell one sack for around ₦700 to ₦1,000, depending on the type of plastic. In a good day, I can make up to ₦4,000 or ₦5,000,” he said.
Musa explained that he sends money home every week to support his family in Kano. Adding that despite the gains, the sector faces challenges such as lack of collection infrastructure, low public awareness, and poor government support. He also said sometimes he is harassed or chased away from certain areas.
“It is not easy, but this work has helped me survive, through it, I send money across to my family. People think we are mad or criminals, in most cases, they chase us away.
Another bottle picker, Yusuf Garba, added that the demand for plastic bottles is increasing. “Before, people were throwing them away, but now even companies are buying from us. Sometimes we don’t even find enough bottles to pick,” he said.
Experts say recycling has become a valuable economic activity in Nigeria. Mr. Chinedu Okorie, an environmental economist, says bottle recycling is more than just a cleanup strategy but a lifeline for both the environment and the economy.
“Recycling plastic bottles helps reduce waste and keeps our drains from being clogged, especially during the rainy season,” he said. “Economically, it creates jobs — from bottle pickers to processors and factory workers who turn these plastics into new products like fibre for clothes, plastic chairs, or packaging materials.”
According to Okorie, Nigeria loses billions of naira annually due to poor waste management. “If we scale recycling, we will reduce importation of raw plastic materials, promote local industries, and reduce unemployment,” he added.
Mrs. Juliet Amadi, a recycling consultant with Greener Future Initiative, explained that bottle recycling helps reduce carbon emissions and saves energy. “It takes less energy to recycle plastic than to produce new plastic from raw petroleum, that reduces environmental pollution and helps us conserve resources,” she said.
She added that recycling also boosts local entrepreneurship. “We now have startups that make pavement blocks, art, and furniture from used plastics. It’s not just about waste anymore — it’s an entire value chain.”
She however call for policies that promote recycling, encourage investments in recycling plants, and support informal waste workers.
“We need to recognize the contribution of these informal workers and integrate them into the formal system. With proper training, equipment, and incentives, they can become environmental champions,” Okorie concluded.
