To address the issue of plastic waste, the Federal Government has introduced National Guidelines for the Plastic Waste Control Regulations under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme. This initiative also aims to establish a Plastic Packaging Registry in Nigeria.
At a stakeholder consultation in Abuja, Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, represented by Ahmadu Jibril, Director of Solid Waste, outlined that the draft guidelines are designed to provide a comprehensive roadmap for stakeholders. The guidelines align with circular economy principles and sustainability efforts to eliminate plastic pollution and mitigate the impacts of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs).
Dr. Salako highlighted the pressing issue of plastic waste, noting predictions by the National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) that plastic waste in Africa could double to 165 million tonnes by 2030. He emphasized the need for comprehensive approaches to tackle plastic pollution, with reports indicating that about 90% of the world’s oceanic plastic comes from land-based sources.
As a signatory to the Basel Convention, which now includes plastic waste as hazardous, Nigeria is committed to managing hazardous waste responsibly. The Convention aims to minimize the transboundary movement of hazardous waste and manage it in an environmentally sound manner.
Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, noted that the guidelines set clear targets for the collection, recycling, and recovery of plastic waste, promoting a circular economy. He also called for specific guidelines covering various plastic items such as household goods.
The EPR guideline provides a sector-specific framework detailing the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, including the private sector, public sector, and civil society.