In Nigeria, plastic waste has emerged as a critical environmental concern that necessitates swift action to lessen its negative consequences. We'll examine these elements in more detail in this blog post and consider some potential remedies for Nigeria's plastic waste crisis.

Statistics on Plastic Wastes

According to the United Nations, Nigeria's population is consuming more plastics, which has led to a rise in plastic waste. It stated this through the UN Industrial Development Organization, highlighting the fact that over a 15-year period, Nigeria's consumption of plastics increased by 116.26 per cent to 1.25 million tonnes.

Nigeria has been reported to produce millions of tons of plastic waste annually. Significant environmental and health problems result from the frequent disposal of this garbage in landfills, bodies of water, and streets. The urgency of taking steps to reduce plastic waste in the nation is demonstrated by these data.

Plastics Importation, Production, and Use

The manufacture, usage, and importation of plastics all contribute significantly to Nigeria's plastic waste crisis. The nation heavily depends on imports of plastic goods, particularly packaging supplies and single-use plastics. Plastic waste builds up as a result of increasing consumption and poor waste management procedures.

The Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have developed regulations and guidelines to address plastic waste management. These include the National Policy on Solid Waste Management, National Environmental Regulations on Plastic Waste Management(2014), and lots more. These policies aim to regulate the production, use, and disposal of plastic materials, promote sustainable practices, and enhance waste management infrastructure. They also emphasize public awareness and education on responsible plastic waste management. However, effective implementation and enforcement of these policies remain crucial.

Lessons from other African Countries

Africa has the highest percentage of countries with plastic bag bans, with at least 50 counties having some waste management policies. Rwanda enacted a law banning plastic bags in 2008 and Kenya enacted a plastic bag ban in 2017. The compliance with the ban in Rwanda has been generally high, while Kenya has had mixed results. However, the effectiveness of these policies could be improved as plastic waste continues to affect roads, rivers and sewage systems. The Regional Seas Conventions have been essential in promoting regional cooperation and coordination.

The new plastic treaty, slated for 2024, is a legally binding instrument for ending plastic pollution across all ecosystems. It could provide an instrument for collaboration and innovation to transition Africa to a sustainable plastics environment.

Promising Solutions for Nigeria

Often, waste is an inevitable byproduct of human activity. It takes place in our homes, workplaces, schools, and factories. The air, water, and land, as well as the people, plants, and animals that depend on them, are all impacted by how we choose to manage waste. It is crucial that we carefully manage our waste.

Traditional leaders, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and others all have a crucial role to play in educating communities about the advantages of proper waste management, including the disposal of plastic waste, for the environment and public health.

Utilizing the Switch Recycling App, which is accesible through the Google Play Store and iOS App Store, more frequently is essential to reorienting waste management toward more environmental friendly management in the diposal of plastic wastes. Increased use of the Switch Recycling App can assist in achieving circular economy objectives throughout the waste management cycle, from the phases of material sourcing, production, and use to resource reuses.