The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for the Ban on Single-Use Plastics in Nigeria has proposed introducing a green tax on industries that produce polypropylene, one of the most widely used plastics.
According to the committee, the move aims to tackle Nigeria’s escalating plastic waste crisis and ensure that manufacturers bear responsibility for the environmental costs of their production activities.
Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja, Chairman Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) disclosed that the House would also consider legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote recycling as part of a national strategy to mitigate pollution and protect public health.
Ugbor described plastic pollution as a growing menace, warning that the unchecked proliferation of polypropylene-based products has placed enormous pressure on Nigeria’s already overstretched waste management systems.
“Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and disturbing,” he said. “During the production process, it releases toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, putting workers and nearby communities at risk. It’s responsible for significant carbon emissions and relies heavily on fossil fuels. As waste, polypropylene is non-biodegradable, lingering in landfills for up to 500 years and polluting our oceans, with severe harm to marine life.”
The lawmaker added that the committee would work closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to develop policy frameworks for the proposed green tax and integrate polypropylene recycling into Nigeria’s national waste management programme.
Ugbor stressed that Nigeria could no longer afford to ignore the mounting environmental consequences of plastic waste.
“Our industries must take responsibility for the ecological footprints they leave behind,” he said. “This committee will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions are not just recommended but implemented.”
Nigeria ranks among the top 20 countries globally contributing to marine plastic pollution. Studies by the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) show that the country generates more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 10 per cent recycled.
Major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are the worst affected, as blocked drainage systems and waterways choked with plastic waste continue to cause flooding and water contamination.
Environmental experts warn that improper disposal of polypropylene and other plastics contaminates soil, groundwater, and food sources, while open burning of waste releases toxic emissions, worsening air quality and contributing to respiratory diseases.
At present, only a handful of private firms are engaged in large-scale recycling, and the absence of a coherent national policy has continued to undermine sustainable waste management.
With the new legislative push, lawmakers hope to attract investment in recycling, strengthen enforcement of environmental standards, and align Nigeria’s plastic management policies with global climate and sustainability goals.
Ugbor said the committee would also hold public hearings with manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any proposed levy or regulation is both effective and equitable.
“This is not about taxation,” he emphasised. “It is about responsibility, sustainability, and protecting the future of our environment and our people.”
