Reducing Plastic Pollution: Nigeria's Practical Steps Forward

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue in Nigeria, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, wildlife, and human health. The country's large population and widespread use of single-use plastics have led to an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste being generated annually, causing severe ecological damage and threatening climate security.

The improper disposal of plastic waste, such as dumping in waterways and burning, has led to water pollution, soil degradation, air contamination, and flooding. Plastic pollution also poses a significant risk to human health, with the burning of plastics releasing toxic gases, including dioxin, a known carcinogen.

To address this crisis, Nigeria has taken some steps, including joining the World Economic Forum's Global Plastic Action Partnership. However, more urgent actions are needed, including the implementation of legal frameworks, improved waste management infrastructure, and a shift towards reusable packaging.

Ban single-use plastics

Single-use plastics make up most of the plastic waste in Nigeria. In 2024, the Nigerian government took steps to curb environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution by announcing a ban on single-use plastics. This move has been praised by environmental experts who argue that there is enough evidence to support the ban, given the adverse effects of plastic waste on the environment and the potential harm to people.

Successes and failures of other countries

Nigeria can learn from other countries that have issued similar bans. It is estimated that over 100 countries globally have partially or fully banned single-use plastics, with African and Asian countries topping the list. About 60% of African countries have various bans on single-use plastics, with Rwanda being one of the most successful. The Rwandan government used a top-down approach involving enforcement with stringent penalties and a bottom-up approach involving advocacy campaigns at the grassroots. In contrast, Malawi's ban failed thrice due to a lack of robust stakeholder consultation and national advocacy.

Lessons for Nigeria

To make the ban successful, Nigeria should consider the following:

• Affordable alternatives: Make affordable alternatives available in critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fast-moving consumer goods, food manufacturing, and processing.
• Sequential implementation: Implement the ban sequentially, starting with non-essential uses such as fizzy drinks and beverage packaging.
• Provide alternatives: Provide affordable alternatives to single-use plastics, such as potable water provided by the government at accessible and affordable prices.
• Stakeholder engagement: Engage with the private and informal sectors, which drive the single-use plastics value chain, through strategic stakeholder engagement for monitoring, advocacy, and buy-in.
• Incentives: Offer incentives to promote adherence to the ban, such as those led by the Federal Ministry of Environment, enforcing the ban across its departments and agencies first.
• Media usage: Utilize mainstream and social media platforms to raise awareness and educate the public about the ban and the harmful effects of single-use plastics.
• Judiciary and legal institutions: Engage the judiciary and legal institutions to support enforcement, similar to the approach taken in Kenya.
• Invest in alternatives: Invest in sustainable local alternatives to single-use plastics to provide livelihoods, such as funding universities, polytechnics, and government research institutions to research and pilot innovative and affordable alternatives.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Harmonize monitoring across states and national institutions to track progress and make data-driven decisions. Utilize digital platforms, such as the Environmental Evidence Portal for Nigeria, to make contextual "Nigerian" evidence available in non-technical formats for education and advocacy.

Challenges and opportunities

The challenge will be in the implementation of the ban, as Nigeria has had a law banning single-use plastics in the works since 2013, which has not been promulgated at the national level. However, recent bans have been announced with pledges of stringent implementation. By learning from the successes and failures of other countries and taking a comprehensive approach that addresses the social, economic, and environmental aspects of single-use plastics, Nigeria can successfully reduce plastic pollution and create a more sustainable future for its citizens.

Implement deposit-refund systems for plastic sachets

Deposit-refund systems are a proven, effective solution to address litter caused by consumer packaging waste. They incentivize consumers to contribute to a circular economy by giving waste value.

Deposit-refund systems (DRS) work by adding a deposit on top of the price of a beverage, which is refunded to the consumer when they return the empty bottle or can for recycling. This communicates to consumers that their containers have value and are not trash.

DRS programs are behavior-rewarding incentive initiatives. They have been used for over a century, with consumer brands selling their products in reusable/refillable containers that they took back to wash and reuse. To encourage participation, they charged their customers a deposit to be refunded when the container was brought back.

DRS programs are especially effective at:

• Boosting collection and recycling rates
• Creating local economic development opportunities and jobs
• Generating clean streams of materials through source separation
• Preventing roadside litter and plastic pollution

In Germany, as in all Scandinavian countries, thanks to the cash compensation to those who return cans and bottles (plastic, glass, aluminum), the recycling of these objects is about 97%. In America, where the name of the mechanism is Bottle Bill, the waste from bottling materials has fallen by 70%. In Australia, it has fallen by over 85%.

Deposit-refund systems can be used to expand reusable beverage containers. For example, from glass beer bottles to durable plastic soda bottles, to stainless steel coffee cups, all of which can be washed and reused dozens of times. This helps to avoid the extraction of natural resources and reduce the number of raw materials used in beverage containers.

Deposit-refund systems are also beneficial for businesses, as they guarantee a constant and high-quality supply to recyclers.

In Nigeria, over 60 million plastic sachet water bags are consumed and disposed of daily. The implementation of a deposit-refund system for these sachets could be an effective way to reduce plastic pollution in the country. This system would incentivize consumers to return their empty sachets for recycling, reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, oceans, and other natural environments. It would also help to create a more sustainable and circular economy in the country, reducing the environmental and health risks associated with plastic pollution.

Improve waste disposal behaviour

Improving waste disposal behaviour is a key aspect of tackling plastic pollution in Nigeria. The country's waste management habits and behaviour facilitate the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste, which exacerbates the problem. Here are some ways to improve waste disposal behaviour in Nigeria:

Education and Awareness

There is a lack of awareness about the environmental and health risks associated with plastic pollution in Nigeria. Media programmes and special education initiatives can play a vital role in raising awareness about the causes and consequences of plastic pollution. Educating people about the negative impacts of plastic on the environment, human health, and wildlife can help foster a sense of responsibility and encourage behavioural changes.

Policy and Regulation

Implementing policies and regulations that discourage the use of single-use plastics and promote sustainable alternatives is essential. Nigeria's House of Representatives passed a plastic ban bill in 2019, but it has not yet been signed into law. Enacting and enforcing such legislation can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated.

Waste Collection and Recycling Infrastructure

Investing in waste collection and recycling infrastructure is crucial. Nigeria needs to allocate resources towards improving waste management systems, ensuring timely litter collection, and providing adequate training for waste collection workers. Additionally, promoting recycling initiatives and establishing more recycling centres can help reduce plastic waste and foster a circular economy.

Consumer Behaviour

Encouraging positive consumer behaviour is vital. Individuals should be encouraged to reduce their plastic consumption, properly dispose of plastic waste, and support sustainable alternatives. Educational campaigns can play a role in changing consumer behaviour and fostering a sense of collective responsibility for the environment.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

Collaboration between the government, businesses, civil society organisations, and local communities is essential. Businesses, in particular, have a responsibility to reduce their use of plastic packaging and promote sustainable alternatives. By working together, stakeholders can develop comprehensive solutions that address the unique challenges faced by different regions in Nigeria.

Raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution

Raising awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution is a crucial step in reducing plastic waste in Nigeria. Here are some ways to achieve this:

• Educational campaigns: Designing media programs and special education initiatives focused on raising awareness about the environmental and health risks associated with plastic pollution is essential. These campaigns can target schools, communities, and the general public, utilising various communication channels such as television, radio, social media, and community gatherings. The campaigns can highlight the long-term presence of plastics in the environment, their impact on wildlife and human health, and the importance of proper waste disposal and recycling.
• Community engagement: Involving communities in the fight against plastic pollution is vital. Local leaders, non-governmental organisations, and environmental activists can play a significant role in organising clean-up campaigns, awareness workshops, and community forums. These activities not only help in removing plastic waste from the environment but also provide a platform for education and dialogue, fostering a sense of collective responsibility.
• Collaboration with influencers and celebrities: Partnering with influencers, celebrities, and public figures who have a strong following in Nigeria can help amplify the message. Their involvement in awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives can attract attention, inspire their followers, and contribute to a broader cultural shift towards more sustainable practices.
• Utilising art and creative expressions: Art, including sculptures, music, and performing arts, can be a powerful medium to raise awareness about plastic pollution. For example, sculptures made from recycled plastic waste or art installations depicting the impact of plastic pollution on marine life can evoke emotions and spark conversations. Similarly, music and performing arts can convey powerful messages about the issue, reaching a wide audience and leaving a lasting impression.
• Incentivising recycling and proper waste disposal: Promoting recycling and proper waste disposal through incentives can help raise awareness and encourage behavioural changes. For instance, providing incentives such as discounts, reward points, or small gifts for returning plastic bottles or participating in community clean-up days can motivate people to take action.
• Engaging youth and students: Young people are often receptive to new ideas and can be powerful agents of change. Involving youth and student organisations in awareness campaigns, clean-up drives, and advocacy initiatives can not only raise awareness among this demographic but also empower them to become ambassadors for change within their communities.

Improve waste management infrastructure

The first step to improving waste management infrastructure in Nigeria is to address the lack of waste collection and recycling infrastructure. This includes investing in more waste collection vehicles, personnel, and recycling facilities. Additionally, it is important to improve waste sorting for reuse and recycling, with waste collection being a last resort, and landfills being a final option.

Nigeria should also focus on transitioning from a linear model (produce/consume/throw) to a circular economy model, which emphasises reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. This can be achieved through innovations and an adequate regulatory framework, as well as private investments and dynamic markets for recycled plastics and plastic substitutes.

Furthermore, public awareness and education about the negative impacts of plastic waste and the importance of proper waste disposal are crucial. This can be achieved through media programs and special education focused on societal values and awareness of the causes and consequences of plastic pollution.

Finally, there is a need for more interdisciplinary research to determine the extent of plastic pollution in Nigerian land and marine environments. This research will facilitate informed health and environmental decision-making and policies.

Frequently asked questions