As Nigeria grapples with the mounting disaster of plastic air pollution, and with Lagos State mulling over a complete ban on plastic packaging, a recent debate is rising in Nigeria’s environmental area: Ought to plastics be outrightly banned, or can they be reimagined into a part of a sustainable economic system?
A brand new place paper, launched forward of the upcoming Plastic Stakeholders Summit, powered by the Producers Affiliation of Nigeria (MAN) and backed by trade leaders and environmental technocrats, argues firmly for the latter. Authored by environmental engineer and round economic system advocate, Engr. Adesegun Osibanjo, the paper outlines a compelling case for innovation, public schooling, and systemic reform over prohibition.
On the coronary heart of the argument is a straightforward however highly effective concept: Don’t ban plastics — remodel them.
Plastic: Important however Problematic
Plastics are deeply woven into on a regular basis life in Nigeria. They hold meals recent, present low-cost packaging for small companies, shield items in transit, and are used throughout healthcare, development, and agriculture.
However this comfort comes at a price. Nigeria produces an estimated 4.8 million tons of plastic waste every year — a lot of it uncollected, burnt in open areas, or dumped into drains and waterways. The outcomes are acquainted: blocked drainage methods, city flooding, marine air pollution, and poisonous air air pollution.
Whereas the decision for a complete ban might sound like an pressing answer, specialists warn it might do extra hurt than good.
Dangers of a Complete Ban
The place paper raises considerations that an outright plastic ban might have unintended social and {economic} penalties. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which rely closely on inexpensive plastic packaging, may very well be hardest hit. Within the casual sector, the place 1000’s of individuals make a dwelling by way of the gathering, sorting, and resale of plastic waste, job losses may very well be vital.
There’s additionally the difficulty of accessibility. Many low-income Nigerians depend on merchandise packaged in plastic sachets, from ingesting water to cooking oil. A sweeping ban might lower them off from fundamental items.
As an alternative, the paper by Engr. Osibanjo proposes a phased method, starting with a ban on low-quality, single-use plastics (particularly these beneath 40 microns in thickness), whereas scaling up recycling infrastructure and alternate options.
World Greatest Practices — and What Nigeria Can Be taught
A number of nations going through comparable waste challenges have proven that plastics may be managed extra successfully by way of coverage innovation and public engagement.
Germany employs a deposit-refund system and mandates that producers handle their product waste.
Japan combines community-led waste segregation with high-tech waste-to-energy crops.
India makes use of recycled plastic in street development and backs small companies that upcycle waste.
Brazil has formalized the function of waste pickers, rising recycling charges and boosting incomes.
Kenya took a phased ban method, supported by innovation grants and public schooling.
These fashions, the paper argues, present that a mixture of authorities coverage, grassroots involvement, and personal sector funding can remodel how plastic waste is dealt with.
Mass Consciousness and Training
A central theme of the paper is the function of public consciousness in fixing the plastic disaster. With out knowledgeable and prepared residents, no coverage will succeed.
It recommends a nationwide marketing campaign that features:
Group workshops in colleges, spiritual establishments, and native councils
Campaigns throughout radio, TV, and social media selling segregation and recycling
Academic curriculum reforms introducing environmental literacy
Inexperienced ambassador applications concentrating on youth
Incentives and recognition for environmentally accountable properties and companies
Such campaigns, Osinbajo argued within the paper, would assist reshape attitudes and encourage behavioural shifts towards extra sustainable consumption.
Plastic Waste Segregation and Native Administration
One other advice is introducing waste segregation on the family degree which embrace:
Coloration-coded bins for recyclables, non-recyclables, and organics
Incentives for households and neighbourhoods that display compliance
QR-coded sensible bins and cell monitoring applied sciences
Coaching for waste collectors and formalization of casual Waste staff
Micro-recycling hubs in native communities to decentralize processing
These methods, the paper argued, would strengthen native waste infrastructure and improve operational effectivity.
Plastic Waste-to-Wealth Improvements
Past lowering waste, Osibanjo urges the federal government to unlock the {economic} potential of plastics by way of round fashions:
Chemical and mechanical recycling into resin and fibre supplies
Upcycled merchandise like plastic furnishings, constructing blocks, and home items
Building-grade plastic bricks, tiles, and paving blocks for infrastructure
Export of processed plastic supplies
Job creation and enterprise improvement for youth and girls within the waste economic system
READ ALSO: Lagos Govt Begins Full Enforcement of Single-Use Plastics Ban July 1
Nations like India and Kenya are already constructing roads and houses with plastic-derived supplies. Might Nigeria be subsequent?
Electrical Energy Technology from Waste Plastic
One of many boldest proposals within the paper is using waste-to-energy know-how, notably pyrolysis and gasification. These processes convert non-recyclable plastic waste into electrical energy and gas.
Specialists estimate that Nigeria might generate as much as 29,000 megawatts of energy yearly from its plastic waste. That’s greater than double the nation’s present on-grid capability — and a possible answer for off-grid and underserved communities.
If carried out with correct environmental controls, this may very well be a game-changer in each vitality and waste administration.
Really helpful Options to a Ban
To help a sustainable transition, the place paper outlines strategic interventions that embrace:
A phased ban on low-quality plastics
Strict enforcement of EPR insurance policies with impartial audits
Grants and tax incentives for companies investing in recycled and biodegradable alternate options
Stakeholder summits for coverage alignment and nationwide coordination
Behaviour change campaigns to advertise sustainable consumption
These suggestions purpose to create a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking plastic administration system.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Future
As Nigeria seeks to deal with its plastic disaster, Engr. Osibanjo’s place paper gives a robust blueprint for transformation. By way of innovation, group involvement, and strategic policymaking, Lagos State, and the nation at massive can set up a round economic system that values sustainability and inclusion.
With the Plastic Stakeholders Summit on the horizon, trade leaders, environmental specialists, and public officers are invited to align on sensible, scalable, and regionally related options.
The tenet is straightforward however profound:
“Don’t ban plastics—remodel them.”
God bless Nigeria!
