Operators worry about impact of single-use plastic ban on industries, livelihoods

• MAN urges FG to mitigate disruptions, adopt sustainable alternatives
• As Lagos styrofoam ban triggers black market, high plastic plates cost

Concerns have been raised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on the Federal Government’s plans to phase out single-use plastic in the country.
Already, the policy has been kick-started in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) with the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to outlaw single-use plastic in its establishment ahead of the national ban next year.

The proposed national ban will affect plastic cutlery: straws, trays, stirrers, plastic spoons, forks, knives, and straws; wrapping or packaging film; earbuds with plastic sticks, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks; balloon and balloon sticks, and thermocol/polystyrene cups.

Others are polystyrene and expanded polystyrene commodities; plastic cups, plastic glasses, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns; non-biodegradable plastic flexible packaging for biscuits, noodles, and sweet/candy wrappers; single-use shopping bags; sachet water packaging; tobacco product filters; plastic based-sanitary items such as wet wipes – sanitary towel, as well as lightweight plastic wrappers /storage bag and fishing gear.

According to UNIDO, Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of waste yearly with plastic accounting for 2.5 million tonnes, while less than 15 per cent of the plastic waste generated is recycled. The Nigerian plastic waste recycling market is worth between $5 to $10 billion and potential to create 750,000 – over one million jobs.

The country loses N10 billion ($12.98 million) yearly from unorganised and unregulated plastic recovery management systems in the country. Nigerian plastic consumption has been projected to reach 40 million tonnes by 2030, while the plastic recycling market is projected to reach 3.47 million tonnes in the same period.

There have been heavy investments in the plastic industries by the private sector over the years, which was supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Food & Beverage Industry Association (FBRA), including the World Bank-supported Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC) that invested in recycling plants in six states.

MAN official told The Guardian that the proposed nationwide ban on single-use plastics will undoubtedly impact the operational landscape for businesses across diverse sectors, adding that manufacturers, distributors/retailers and consumers will have their production processes, supply chains, and consumer behaviours significantly altered.

The Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said: “The impending ban will necessitate significant operational overhauls for companies within this sector, as manufacturers will be compelled to reconfigure their production processes to align with the new regulatory landscape.

“This transition will involve substantial investments in research and development to identify and adopt suitable alternative materials. Acquiring new machinery and equipment, as well as modifying existing infrastructure, will be essential to accommodate the production of these alternative products.

“Moreover, the shift towards sustainable materials will disrupt established supply chains. Companies will need to establish new partnerships with suppliers of alternative raw materials, potentially leading to increased costs and logistical challenges. Ensuring the consistent availability of these materials may also pose difficulties, particularly in the initial stages of the transition.”

He explained that sectors such as packaging, consumer goods, food and beverage, and healthcare are expected to experience significant disruptions. Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) within the manufacturing sector are particularly vulnerable due to their limited resources and capacity to adapt to rapid regulatory changes.

Beyond these primary sectors, Ajayi-Kadir said, the ban will have ripple effects on other industries. For instance, the logistics and transportation sectors may face challenges in handling and transporting alternative packaging materials.

According to him, the waste management industry will experience changes in waste composition and recycling processes, while the retail sector will need to modify product offerings and packaging to comply with the ban.

He stressed that the implementation of a single-use plastics ban is likely to result in job losses within industries heavily reliant on the production and distribution of these products. “Workers employed in the manufacturing, packaging, and sales of single-use plastics face the risk of unemployment as companies adapt to the new regulatory landscape.

“Factories unable to transition to alternative materials or absorb the associated costs may be forced to cease operations, leading to job losses and economic disruptions in affected regions. SMEs within the plastics industry are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the ban. These businesses often have limited resources to invest in new technologies or retool their operations.

“Consequently, they may face significant challenges in adapting to the new regulatory environment. The closure of SMEs can have far-reaching consequences for local economies, as they contribute to job creation, tax revenue, and supply chain stability.”

MAN noted that the shift away from single-use plastics would necessitate the exploration and adoption of sustainable alternatives. The organisation suggested that bio-based plastics, derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, offer a promising avenue, as these materials decompose more rapidly and reduce environmental impact compared to traditional plastics.

“Cloth bags, metal straws, and glass containers can effectively replace many single-use plastic items. While paper-based alternatives may seem like a viable option, it is essential to consider their environmental impact, including deforestation and water consumption.

According to MAN, education and awareness campaigns will be crucial in promoting the benefits of sustainable materials and encouraging consumers to adopt new habits.

“Governments can play a vital role by providing incentives for businesses to invest in sustainable packaging solutions and by supporting the development of recycling and composting infrastructure. By embracing these strategies, we can move closer to a circular economy where waste is minimised, and resources are utilised efficiently,” Ajayi-Kadir added.

Among strategies listed by MAN for successful transition, include a comprehensive and strategic approach like establishing a robust recycling infrastructure that involves the nationwide deployment of recycling collection sites, particularly in industrial clusters where plastic waste is concentrated.

To incentivise participation, Ajayi-Kadir wants the government to implement financial rewards or tax breaks for individuals and businesses that actively engage in recycling, adding that investing in research and development is crucial for creating innovative and sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

“By fostering public-private partnerships with companies specialising in sustainable materials, the government can accelerate the development and commercialisation of eco-friendly solutions. The government should provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to businesses, particularly SMEs, to help them adapt to the new regulatory environment, which includes offering training on sustainable packaging design and waste management practices.

MEANWHILE, the phase-out of styrofoam in packaging food in Lagos State may have paid off, as restaurants and eateries are utilising plastic plates in various locations visited by The Guardian.

The Guardian gathered state’s environment monitoring and enforcement officials have been visiting markets and eateries to ensure compliance with the government’s directive. The clamp down on all the production companies and distribution outlets for styrofoam has also made some dealers and eateries stop buying the product.

However, the development has created a black market for styrofoam packaging materials in the market and increased the prices of plastic plates. In most of the markets visited some plastics dealers hoard the styrofoam packaging in their stores and sell it to customers, who desire to buy in bulk.

The price of styrofoam varies according to the vendor. For instance, 25 pieces that were earlier sold for N700 have been hiked to between N1,000 and N1,500, while plastic plate prices have also gone up. Small sizes of 50 pieces are sold for N10,500 and big sizes of 50 pieces now sell at N12,500.

The ban has also impacted the cost of food packaging in restaurants and eateries as styrofoam packaging was sold for N100, now with plastic plates, it attracts N300.

The Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev Nigeria), Dr Leslie Adogame, said the ban has been successful in Lagos and wants other states to join the global movement towards the phase-out of polystyrene foam.

He, however, confirmed that some of the producers have relocated to other states, where the business is flourishing, and products are being used unhindered. “For me, having followed the preponderance use of styrofoam in Nigeria and since the announcement in the past three months, it has been effective to a large extent, but beyond Lagos, there is a bandwagon effect.

“Production of styrofoam has not stopped, all the producers and suppliers have shifted to those states where the ban is not effective. Indirectly, we are not achieving the ban, as there is supposed to be regional government cooperation.

“The impact is there in other states. We need a national ban for it to be effective as the Lagos State government ban does not stop the problem of styrofoam in the country,” according to Adogame, who was the national Consultant NESREA-EU Plastic Waste Regulation project.