Tackling Menace Of Plastic Waste In Nigeria

Human evolving pat­tern has brought about the present situation where­by vast amounts of plastic waste generated is increas­ing at an unprecedented rate nationwide as well as all over world.

Investigation has shown that changing consumption patterns, coupled with the rise of single-use plastics, packaging materials, and electronics is making the generation of plastic waste to grow astronomically thereby creating a daunting challenge for the society and the country as a whole.

For instance, across ma­jor cities and even some semi-urban cities in Nige­ria, dumpsites are overflow­ing with plastic waste, most of which end up in the riv­ers and oceans; endangering marine wildlife, damaging the soil, poisoning ground water and resulting in seri­ous adverse effects on hu­man health coupled with the unpredicted climate change patterns worldwide.

Findings have revealed that in Nigeria, 15 percent of the solid waste generated translating to almost 5 mil­lion tonnes per annum alone is plastic.

It is therefore alarming when the Minister of State for the Environment, Dr Iz­iaq Adekunle Salako noted that less than 10 percent of plastic waste is managed properly in the country with the remaining over 90 per­cent littering streets, drain­ages and dumpsites block­ing drains, and thus finding their way into the oceans.

This unpleasant develop­ment has earned Nigeria the unenviable record of the tenth largest producer of unmanaged plastic in the world, he lamented.

However, the Minister said that Nigeria, as a re­sponsible member of the global community is con­cerned about the increas­ing amount of plastic waste in the environment from sources such as food and drink packaging, beverages and shopping bags as their improper disposal waste contributes to environmen­tal degradation and the re­lease of toxic gases when burnt or incinerated with devastating effects on hu­man health.

“To protect the environ­ment and safeguard future generations, we must take urgent action to manage our waste, especially plas­tic more sustainably,” he stressed.

He canvassed the sorting of plastic waste at the source as a simple but effective way to reduce contamination in the recycling stream there­by ensuring that more ma­terials are successfully re­purposed.

“It also reduces the costs associated with sorting waste at facilities, allowing resources to be allocated more effectively to the recy­cling process.

“By sorting out your waste, you contribute direct­ly to a cleaner environment. This small action helps di­vert plastic waste from land­fills, oceans, and streets, thereby reducing pollution and protecting biodiversity.

“I call on governments at all levels, businesses, civil society and non governmen­tal organizations to work to­gether to provide clear, con­sistent information on how and why sorting matters.

“Returning reusable or recyclable “waste” (use) materials must become and obligatory social responsi­bility of all citizen of our country in order to optimise the circular management of waste, “ the Minister urges.

He said that the private sector has a critical place in waste management. For example, he stressed that businesses must adopt sus­tainable practices, reduce packaging, and create prod­ucts that are easier to recy­cle.

“They must also take re­sponsibility for the waste their operations generate and engage in partnerships that promote the circular economy.

“I will like to encourage industries and businesses to invest in recycling technol­ogies and to promote envi­ronmental education among consumers so that together we can create a system that benefits not just businesses but the environment and so­ciety at large.”

A climate change expert, Adewale Adetutu said that water sachets and shopping bags are the major constitu­ents of plastic waste in Ni­geria.

He highlighted that mar­kets, households schools including religious places are among routes through which plastic waste are be­ing generated.

He said these remain in­direct entry point of plas­tic waste, particularly into water bodies in the country.

Environmentalist, Mo­hammed Abubakar attribut­ed part of the challenge to low recycling of plastic waste which he puts at less than 12 per cent of total waste generation.

He advocated that plas­tic pollution management should start at the primary school level to imbibe the culture in the young ones.

“The low level of recy­cling is a challenge. There is also inadequate waste col­lection and all of these re­main a major threat to plas­tic pollution management in Nigeria.”

Analysists canvassed the informal sector participa­tion as crucial in curbing plastic waste menace in Ni­geria.

Stakeholders proposed that all hands must on deck adequately manage plastic waste to reduce its toxic impact on the environment, wildlife and subsequently on overall well-being of the country.