The federal government, alongside environmental stakeholders, has taken significant steps to address the increasing problem of plastic waste pollution in Nigeria.
At a stakeholder meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, the focus was on drafting National Guidelines for the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging in the country.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of State for Environment Iziaq Salako, represented by Ahmadu Jibril, Assistant Director of Solid Waste in the Ministry of Environment, highlighted the critical environmental concerns surrounding plastic waste.
He referenced Nigeria’s commitment to the Basel Convention, which aims to protect human health and the environment by regulating hazardous waste.
Salako explained, “The Basel Convention seeks to reduce the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, including plastic, and ensure its proper management and disposal in an environmentally sound manner.
The amendment to the convention a few years ago identified plastic waste as hazardous, and governments are now mandated to tackle it at the source.”
In response to these global commitments, the federal government has introduced measures to combat plastic waste, which include developing sector-specific National Guidelines under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme.
“The purpose of these guidelines is to serve as a road map for stakeholders in the plastic packaging value chain, outlining their responsibilities under the EPR Programme,” Salako noted.
The Extended Producer Responsibility initiative aims to shift the burden of plastic waste management from local authorities and taxpayers to the producers themselves.
Innocent Barikor, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution. He noted,
“The proliferation of plastic packaging has led to environmental degradation, affecting ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. The need for an effective waste management system has never been more urgent.”
Barikor added that collaboration between stakeholders would be crucial in overcoming the challenges of plastic waste, stating, “Together, we can develop innovative solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the EPR Programme.”
Yomi Banjo, representing the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), expressed support for the initiative, pledging continued backing for Nigeria’s efforts.
“We support the EPR programme because it’s a good move toward sustainability,” he remarked.
Agharase Onaghise, Executive Director of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, lauded the timing of the draft guidelines. He emphasized the importance of having a robust document that aligns with global efforts toward a circular economy.
As Nigeria works to finalize and implement the EPR guidelines, the government and stakeholders remain committed to reducing plastic waste pollution and ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment.
