Amy BA
June 27, 2024 at 09:41
Nigeria is jumping into the fight against the global plastic crisis by banning single-use plastics from January 2025. The ban includes straws, cutlery, plastic bottles and water sachets. Currently, more than 70% of this waste ends up in oceans or landfills, due to an inadequate waste collection system and limited recycling capacity.
A recent study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) revealed that an estimated 50 to 60 million used water sachets are dumped on the streets of Lagos every day. The ban will initially be implemented in all national ministries, departments and agencies, with a planned extension to the entire country from next January, with the environment ministry stressing the need to lead by example.
The production of most single-use plastics and packaging relies on fossil fuels, which emit large amounts of greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. However, despite the environmental benefits, the ban has attracted criticism in Nigeria, where the use of plastics is widespread.
The government is also developing a new plastic use policy, taking a phased approach to eliminating plastic waste. Nigeria, being one of the largest producers of plastic waste in the world, generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.
