Akinruntan Akinmade, a retiree federal civil servant went on his routine early morning aerobics. As he embarked on the two-hour hiking savouring the windy, chilly morning that followed the heavy downpour of the previous night, something caught his attention – a constellation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, foil papers, and disposable food packs huddled at the mouth of a massive canal in the Agege area of Lagos State.
Taking a break from his exercise, he asked himself several rhetorical questions before resuming. Much as the questions kept on popping up as he walked off, appropriate answers kept on eluding him.
“I am not a scientist, but beholding the sheer magnitude of plastic waste that I sighted in the Odo Iyalaro channel, I know that the country sure has a challenge managing plastic waste. Flood from Maryland, Ojota, Ketu, Agege, and Ikeja down to Agboyi Creek all find their way here. So, you can imagine where all these debris have come from,” he stated. He stressed the need for government to either ban one-use plastic containers and carriers outright or invest in recycling plants as a way of curbing the looming danger.
“With the way that things are going, the Federal Government needs to rapidly explore ways of addressing this issue given the danger that it portends for the environment, especially aquatic life. If we allow plastic waste to proliferate, it may come a time that it would constitute a major problem for the country,” Akinmade said.
Nigeria, with a population of about 220 million generates annually, about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste, and the situation is likely to worsen as the population grows from 220 million to the projected 401 million by the end of 2050. Presently, different parts of the country are battling helplessly to contain the menace posed by the proliferation of plastic waste. Kano, Rivers, and Lagos states appear to be worst hit by this challenge. Lagos State, for instance, with an estimated population of 22 million inhabitants generates about 870, 000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, and this figure constitutes about 15 per cent of the total waste generated in the Country. While Akinmade is pondering the long-term effect of the burgeoning plastic waste on society and is unable to hazard a solution to the massive menace, the United Nations thinks that the scope of the challenge is such that demands the world sparing a thought for it. Specifically, in celebrating his year’s World Environmental Day celebration, which has been commemorated annually every June 5, since 1973 to raise awareness on environmental issues including, pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, among others, the UN drew the world’s attention to the issue by settling for the theme, “Solutions to plastic pollution.”
Plastics are a wide range of natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic materials that use polymer as a main ingredient. Some of the most common polymers that are used every day include polyethylene or nylon threads.
About 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic were produced worldwide between 1950 and 2018, and only between nine and 12 per cent of this was recycled and incinerated. The rest were discarded in landfills and dumps.
In places like Lagos, these materials are deeply embedded in the daily lives of residents, hence one-use food packs, pet bottles, plastic grocery bags, and cutlery, as well as sandwich wraps have become an eyesore on major streets, dumpsites, gutters, and canals.
Contrary to what happens in developed societies, where empty pet plastic water bottles are dumped in waste bins from where they are transported to plants for recycling, the poor management of refuse in the state has contributed largely to the menace of pet bottles and sundry takeaway food packs that are choking the state.
Understanding the importance of the theme and its implications, the Lagos State government elected to carry out a practical demonstration of what it has been preaching, through a sensitisation campaign to encourage residents on the need for recycling plastic wares. This it did by kicking off the 2023 World Environment Day celebrations with a sensitisation campaign to encourage residents on the need for recycling plastics. During the sensitisation campaign, which began at the State Secretariat in Alausa, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, discouraged the use of single-use plastic bags and bottles, and government employees who arrived at the secretariat with single-use plastic bags and bottles had them exchanged with multi-use bags and water bottles. Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Drainage and Water Resources, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Nurudeen Shodeinde, said: “The theme for this year’s commemoration,
“Solutions to plastic pollution,” aims at providing the opportunity to sensitise individuals, enterprises, and communities on preserving and enhancing the environment as well as trigger an alarm on the increasing global threat posed by plastics to the environment, especially as it affects Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, 11, 12, 14 and 15. “According to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the appearance of plastics in the early 20th Century has amassed production of over 9.5 billion metric tonnes of which more than 8 billion metric tonnes have become wastes. “The packaging sector is identified as the largest generator of single-use plastic waste in the world. Approximately 36 per cent of all plastics produced are used in packaging. This includes single-use plastic food and beverage containers, 85 per cent of which end up in landfills, or as mismanaged waste in the environment. “Globally, only 20 per cent of plastics produced are being recycled while the rest ends up in unmanaged dumpsites or thrown into the drains, rivers, and into the oceans. This poses a greater threat to humanity as it can alter natural activities such as loss of habitats and reduction in the ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change, thereby affecting livelihood, food production, societal well-being, and biodiversity on land and in water,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor informed that the “the state government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and relevant agencies, such as Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has continued to demonstrate unwavering commitment towards mitigating the challenge of plastic waste management in the state. We have launched several initiatives ranging from policy initiation, environmental education, and advocacy, buy-back programme, and replication of the recycling banks in the government residential estates, schools, communities, and markets after a successful implementation of a pilot project within the catchment areas of the State Secretariat Complex here in Alausa. “Also, as part of the efforts to make the state cleaner, particularly by ensuring the reduction of plastic waste, we commenced the community recyclable management programme with the launching of the first one in Ifako-Ijaye local government area in March 2023. “Though the task ahead in mitigating the generation of plastic wastes in the state may seem herculean, it is achievable only by our collective efforts and consistent application of global best practice in waste management…” The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, as part of activities to mark World Environment Day, charged the federal and state governments to develop a well-articulated policy for the recovery and management of plastic waste in the country.
It also urged Nigerians to act cautiously in the use of plastics to minimise negative impacts on the environment. The National President of the institute, Mr. Nathaniel Atebije, at an event, in Abuja, to mark World Environment Day 2023, which was entitled: “Towards Evolving Solutions to Plastic Pollution in Nigeria: Urban Planning Perspective,”
Atebije, lamented that residents of developing countries, including Nigeria, especially the urban poor, were severely impacted by plastic waste often through disposal in unregulated dumps, or by burning.
These practices, he warned, created serious health, safety, and environmental consequences, including respiratory issues due to air pollution from burning plastic; shortened animal lifespans arising from plastic consumption; clogging of drains triggering flooding and contamination of precious oceans and waterways.
“In Nigeria, over 32 million tonnes of waste is generated yearly with plastic accounting for 2.5 million tonnes, according to UNIDO. There is no doubt that plastic waste generation rates are rising in Nigeria. Though, it provides multiple benefits to modern-day living, its polluting effects on the natural environment, including the ocean and other water bodies in the country are enormous. It is therefore paramount to manage it,” he said.
However, the NITP president advised that any sustainable attempt to manage plastic waste must be guided by a well-articulated policy, adding that the overall objective of the policy must ensure that there is zero-waste disposal of plastic waste.
“Its fulcra shall include the institution of strategies for waste separation; legislation against illegal dumping of plastic materials; establishment of drop-off centres/boxes in all major cities; institution of return system involving the exchange of plastic for money; provision of incentives, including granting tax relief to companies that purposefully produce bio-degradable packaging materials, instead of plastic product packaging materials, and compelling commercial outfits to adopt bio-degradable packaging materials. Others would include the institution of levies and taxes on the production of plastic bags; development of the formal market for plastic waste recovery and establishment of formal linkage of scavengers with plastic waste generators.”
He added that the involvement of partners from the informal sector was critical in achieving all these, stressing that the sector’s capacity must therefore be strengthened to increase plastic recycling.
“Community penetrative campaign to educate and motivate citizens to change their behaviour towards plastic waste handling must be embarked upon. The use of garbage bins/dust bins at public places for disposal of plastic should be emphasised. Provision should be made for adequate collection and disposal systems. Throwing off plastic garbage in open spaces must be prohibited. Reusable shopping bags among consumers and corporate commercial outfits must be promoted,” Atebije said.
Enugu State-based environmentalist and Founder of Eco-Cyclers, Ogechi Nwonye, who admits that “Nigerians are surrounded heavily by plastic waste, and we churn out even more as the day goes by,” lamented that even though “I pack food and water for my kids using reusable water bottles for the children to take to school, adults that are in traffic buy sachets water/plastic bottled water and dispose the packs indiscriminately.”
At cafeterias, she observed that rather than bring in their reusable bottles, “adults make use of disposable cups and straws, which contribute negatively to the environment. On going to the store with a couple of friends, I went along with my reusable bag, but they end up laughing at it and prefer to collect as many plastic bags, which unfortunately they only use once little items.”
She insists that individuals can contribute a lot to stemming the tide “If we start to reduce the number of plastic wares that we use, carry our spoons, plates, forks, cups, and ditch single-use plastic, donate or sell them to recycling centres near us.”
Giving her perspectives on how the menace of plastic waste can be curbed, she said: “We can combat plastic waste if we learn the basics of segregating waste from source; if we integrate environmental sustainability into our school curriculum; by teaching young ones about it and helping to effect behavioural change and lifestyle towards it.”
She added that, “children can be taught waste upcycling for re-modelling plastic for sustainability, and to make beautiful work of arts and crafts while taking climate action. Nwonye, a social entrepreneur emphasised that the nation can curb the menace “if citizens begin to take recycling into consideration, as every household, businesses, should be mandated to have waste segregation bins for the collection of plastic waste and delivering same to recycling centres near them for free, or for incentives….”
While also speaking in favour of taxing plastic bags at shopping malls to enable people “bring their bags and will help to reduce drastically, the amount of plastic waste and move our economy from linear to circular,” she added that the government should, as a matter of urgency, provide state-of-the-art equipment, machinery and facilities to curb plastic waste timely.”
She recommended further: “For us to curb plastic pollution, the Three Rs of waste management – Reduce, Re-use and Recycle needs to be taken into serious consideration. We are often the choice we make, so we can all join hands to beat plastic pollution if we decide to adhere to the three Rs.”
On how satisfied she is with the government’s efforts to tackle the menace posed by plastic waste, and what more can be done to address the menace, the climate change activist said: “I am not entirely satisfied with the efforts of the government in tackling the issue. I feel the government should, and as a matter of urgency, do even more as a whole lot can be with just the right approach, the right people, and the right action.
“The government should put the right structures in place, including recycling collection hubs, which will even create more green job opportunities for youths, and also help in revenue generation for the government. The government can also partner and invest in local recyclers to help grow the economy while pushing positively for sustainable development goals.
But what are the challenges that local recyclers like Nwonye encounter, and which government assistance may be needed to address them? She responded: “We encounter challenges such as logistics. We sometimes find it so difficult to transport waste materials from residential locations that are on the outskirt of town. But, if we had some sort of public/private partnership with the state’s waste management authority, I am sure it will help in availing the needed solution. Some residents are very interested in recycling, but they don’t even have access to waste bins for collection. We still dispose of waste informally with scavengers getting exposed to work hazards that could harm the community at large if not checkmated.”
On how catastrophic claims that plastic waste would contest favourably with fishes in the oceans by 2050 could be, Nwonye, who said “ share the same view” admonished: “ Oceans are our planet’s life support as they provide water, food and help regulate the weather. So, it will is very catastrophic as it relates to most, if not our entire ecosystem. Indeed the consequences would be drastic if our oceans are not restored, conserved & protected from pollution. Yes, I share the same view. As scientists say, we are in a climate crisis and we need an urgent solution to curb single-use plastic as it is becoming worrisome to humans, and also to aquatic lives.
Akomolafe Ayinde Oba believes that the unending menace of pet bottles and foil papers that is contributing to flooding, and clogged drains/canals must be taken seriously because of its long-term implications.
According to him, the first step in this direction has to be attitudinal change by ill-advised residents who have perfected the habit of hauling shades of domestic waste into drains. He also knocked the Lagos State government for not doing enough to curb the menace of pet bottles. He explained: “Most illiterate members of the public are not aware of the dangers associated with the indiscriminate disposal of plastic. But if in mobile refuse collectors or where the government has placed refuse bins that are carted away regularly a compartment is dedicated to plastic waste, it may begin to sink that this is not ‘ordinary’ waste. Government and privately-owned commercial vehicles should be mandated to educate and mandate their passengers to normalise depositing of plastic waste in bins provided in the vehicles rather than the abhorrent practice of flinging them out of vehicle windows,” he submitted.
In revealing part of the steps that the state has taken to address the plastic waste challenge, General Manager, of Lagos State Environmental Agency, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, stated that the Trash-for-Cash initiative is meant to encourage people to recycle and know that there is value in plastic. She noted that the agency is doing a lot in terms of advocacy, information dissemination, and educating the populace on change of attitude and sustainable practices towards managing plastic waste.
“What we are doing now is that we don’t want plastic waste at the dumpsite anymore, we are dealing with the scavengers to pick up plastic waste and we will buy up from them.
“For instance, if you look at Obalende under the bridge after the commencement of the trash-for-cash initiative, people were jumping into gutters to bring out plastics in exchange for money, even baggers and scavengers did this too,” Fasawe stated, adding that to further expand the scope of the initiative, the agency has included opportunities for free health insurance, Cowry cards for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) foodstuff, as well as school fees for public schools.
“What we are advocating as government is that, let us keep these businesses in our country, which is what circular economy is all about. If you fetch and bring to us discarded plastic waste, you collect your money and use the money for other things and the recyclers remould the plastic into other things. Plastic is a non-biodegradable substance that affects national climate change and global warming. With all these initiatives, the government is trying to keep Lagos clean, reduce the effect of plastic pollution on global warming and climate change, improve our gross domestic product, and help in creating job opportunities in the economy.
For environment expert, Idowu Salawu: “One of the major effects, or impact of poor plastic management in society is the pollution of the marine environment. And it is feared that if the issue of plastic pollution is not tackled effectively now, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.”
He stated that the effect of plastic pollution on global warming, burning of tyres, and the plastics component of e-waste, such as computer monitors and old television sets are major contributors to emissions of greenhouse gas and other particulates or chemicals into the atmosphere.
Idowu further recommended the use of separate bins to collect plastic waste in communities, especially in residential estates, markets, and commercial and industrial settlements, as well as, a sustained sensitisation programme to make primary and secondary schools pupils abreast of sustainable plastics management techniques, and the impact on climate change.
