APM Terminals Apapa, Nigeria’s largest container terminal by volume, said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FREEE Recycle Limited, an indigenous firm to recycle its used tyres.
Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony in Lagos recently, Steen Knudsen, the terminal manager, APM Terminals Apapa, said the MoU is in furtherance of the company’s contribution to reducing the harmful effects of industrial wastes on the environment.
“We are reducing our environmental footprint in Nigeria, and are excited to partner FREEE Recycle Limited to recycle tyres into materials that can be used in other parts of the supply chain. It is important to partner with companies that have different expertise to complement our efforts in reducing the environmental footprint in our businesses,” he said.
Chinyere Adenaike, the procurement manager of APM Terminals Apapa, said the terminal operator remains committed to sustainability and protection of the environment.
“We are committed to always taking constant care to ensure responsible operational practices that minimise, reduce and prevent negative environmental impact in the community. At the leadership level at Apapa, we have committed to a thorough review of our capital investments in equipment to ensure it is in line with our Maersk global ambition of zero CO2 Emissions by 2040,” Adenaike said.
Adenaike said the terminal is also looking into the lifecycle of its rolling stock, from cradle to grave, adding that the port authority firmly supports these initiatives.
Ifedolapo Runsewe, the managing director of FREEE Recycle Limited, commended APM Terminals Apapa for taking the lead in reducing solid waste in the country.
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She said the MoU will enhance a collaborative effort in recycling tyres into reusable products for the next five years.
Theopilus Okoyomon, the chief operating officer of FREEE Recycle, said that tyres pose serious dangers to the environment because they lead to emission of CO2, and are a breathing space for malaria mosquitoes.
Maryann Okeke, a representative of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), commended the tyre recycling initiative.
“We do get a lot of tires from Lagos channels. Our commitment to consistent dredging has opened us to solid waste that can be recycled. We are discussing with the Lagos State Government and carrying out sensitisation on the removal of solid waste from the habour,” Okeke said.
Oyewale Akeredolu, a representative of BASF West Africa, commended FREEE Recycle and APM Terminals for creating value for their environment through the partnership.
In December 2021, APM Terminals Apapa carried out a successful trial by using pavement blocks produced out of recycled and compressed used tyres for exterior flooring.
APM Terminals Apapa is the largest container terminal in Nigeria. With an investment of over $438 million in equipment, the terminal has continued to introduce new innovations to help both shipping lines and landside customers achieve improved supply chain efficiency, flexibility and dependability in a cost-effective manner.
