APM Terminals Nigeria Drives Circular Economy with Menstrual Health Training and Solar-Powered Plastic Recycling

APM Terminals Nigeria Drives Circular Economy with Menstrual Health Training and Solar-Powered Plastic Recycling

(IN BRIEF) APM Terminals Nigeria has launched two local sustainability initiatives: in Onne, the WACT-APM Terminals sanitary pad programme trains students to produce reusable menstrual products, improving hygiene, reducing stigma, combating school absenteeism and cutting plastic waste; in Apapa, a solar-powered recycling hub—operated with GIVO—processes up to 300 kg of plastic daily into reusable materials, creates direct and indirect jobs, decreases CO₂ emissions by 3,000 tonnes annually, and promotes circular-economy practices. Both efforts exemplify how targeted community partnerships can deliver lasting environmental, social and economic benefits, aligning with APM Terminals’ CSR focus and net-zero goals.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 31-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — At APM Terminals’ Onne and Apapa sites in Nigeria, two pioneering programmes are transforming environmental stewardship and community resilience. In Rivers State, the WACT-APM Terminals sanitary pad initiative equips girls with the know-how to craft reusable menstrual products, enhancing hygiene and slashing plastic waste. Meanwhile, in Lagos, APM Terminals Apapa and waste-management partner GIVO have unveiled a solar-powered recycling hub that turns discarded plastics into reusable materials—creating jobs, cutting carbon emissions, and fostering a circular economy.

Menstrual Health and Reusable Pad Production in Onne
What began as a small pilot in two Rivers State schools has rapidly expanded into a movement. Early in 2022, community assessments revealed that many girls lacked reliable access to sanitary pads, leading to stigma and school absences. Rejecting one-off donations, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria teamed up with Dufy Global Enterprise and the Centre for Creative Development Strategies to teach students how to sew washable pads from locally sourced fabrics.

Launched in February 2024, the training initially reached 100 pupils. Interest surged—by March, demand prompted expansion ahead of the school break. Upon return, principals reported a marked drop in pad-requests as learners made and preferred their own products. Today, over 1,800 students, teachers and community members across 22 schools have acquired these life and entrepreneurial skills. Beyond breaking menstrual taboos and reducing absenteeism, the programme mitigates an environmental cost: disposable pads, rich in plastic and synthetic fibres, can linger for centuries in landfills.

Zero-Carbon Recycling Hub in Lagos
In Apapa, APM Terminals Nigeria CSR partnered with Garbage In Value Out (GIVO) to launch Nigeria’s first entirely solar-run recycling facility. Situated to serve a 25 km radius around Ladi-Lak Primary School, the hub processes up to 300 kg of plastic daily—about 90 tonnes annually—and averts roughly 3,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.

Building on prior CSR efforts—such as upcycling tyres into mats and sourcing recycled-plastic workwear—this initiative pays community collectors by the kilogram, directly creating 15 jobs and sparking over 50 indirect roles. By recycling on-site, it also lowers transport emissions and raises awareness of how single-use plastics contribute to flooding and water pollution. Endorsed by LASEPA, NIMASA and the Lagos Port Complex, the project underpins APM Terminals’ global net-zero by 2040 ambition and showcases a scalable model of grassroots environmental action.

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SOURCE: APM Terminals