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LAGOS. – Nigeria has announced a ban on single-use plastics in government offices as a prelude to a nation-wide ban set to begin in January next year, a move that could stir a storm in a country hugely dependent on plastics.
A recent study by the US.Agency for International Development found that Nigeria is among the world’s top plastic polluters, generating over 2,5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and over 70 percent of which ends up in seas and landfill.
“If you look at the national policy on plastic waste management which was adopted in 2020, it envisaged that by 2025, some categories of plastic will be banned in Nigeria,” deputy minister of environment, Iziaq Salako said.
“What the Federal government is doing is preparing the minds of Nigerians for what is to come and leading by example”
Most of the materials to be banned are single-use plastics including straws, cutlery, plastic bottles and small water sachets, which present a major issue for the country, he said.
Nigeria announced a national policy to curb plastic waste pollution in 2020 when total annual plastic waste was around 1.5 million tonnes.
The document highlights how proper plastic waste management can create a circular economy, where plastic design, production and use leads to recycling for reuse. – Reuters
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter