Concerned about Nigeria’s plastic pollution crisis, environmental and plastic packaging stakeholders gathered in Abuja to finalize the National Guidelines for Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a crucial step towards a circular economy.
Speaking during the event, Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said the Sector-Specific National Guidelines were part of the measures being put in place by the Federal Government to tackle the problem of plastic pollution.
The minister who was represented by the Assistant Director, Solid Waste Management, Dr. Ahmadu Jibrin, said the National Guidelines “will serve as a road map to all stakeholders in the Plastic Packaging value chain for the effective implementation of the EPR Programme as well as clearly defining the various obligations of all sector stakeholders in Nigeria.”
“This Document is also poised to amongst others, aid the establishment of a Plastic Packaging Registry in the country which is very germane, align with circular economy principles and sustainability efforts ultimately galvanizing towards the overall elimination of plastic pollution and the reduction of the adverse impacts of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) from our environment”, he said.
Salako added that the document which had been reviewed by the stakeholders in the 36 States and FCT will become a robust instrument for the management of plastic packaging, plastic waste and plastic pollution across their life cycle.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor said, “the proliferation of plastic packaging (Bottles (PET, Propylene or High Density Poly Ethylene/Polystyrene), Flexible mono-layer materials, Rigid mono-layer materials, multi-layer and multi-material plastics) has led to significant environmental degradation, affecting our ecosystems, wildlife, and ultimately, human health,” hence the need for urgent effective waste management system.
He stated that the guidelines being inclusive of all stakeholders in the value chain, “sets clear targets for collection, recycling, and recovery of plastic waste, ensuring that we move towards a circular economy where materials are reused and recycled rather than discarded”.
Barikor informed the stakeholders that the EPR Programme was in line with the Eight (8) Point Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He noted that the Administration understands the nexus between democracy, economic development and environmental sustainability, adding that all strong democracies have promoted economic development without compromising the environment.
He therefore assured business entities that the Agency will strike a balance between business and environment without compromising responsible environmental behaviour.
He also expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan, through the Embassy in Nairobi, UNEP, World Bank, UNIDO and other international, national and individual experts for their financial and technical supports, dedication to work and participation in the project.
