Nigeria to ban single-use plastics next year

Nigeria plans to ban single-use plastics in government offices as a precursor to a nationwide ban set to begin in January next year. This move could spark significant changes in a country that heavily relies on plastics.

According to a recent study by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Nigeria is among the world's top plastic polluters, generating over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with over 70 per cent ending up in seas and landfills.

In 2020, Nigeria introduced a national policy to address plastic waste pollution, with total annual plastic waste at that time estimated at around 1.5 million metric tonnes. The policy document emphasizes the creation of a circular economy through proper plastic waste management, promoting recycling and reuse of plastics.

Since the policy's inception, plastic waste has surged, particularly in rapidly growing cities like Lagos, which has an estimated population of 17-20 million. Research by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) this year revealed that approximately 50-60 million used water sachets are discarded on the streets of Lagos daily.

In January, Lagos State implemented a ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, commonly used in food service and delivery by street vendors, due to their role in clogging drains and water channels.

Nigeria is also developing a new plastic use policy aimed at gradually eliminating plastic waste. Over the next five years, the policy expects producers to transition to alternatives and plans to tightly regulate plastic imports.

Analysts predict that while the initial implementation may face challenges, a nationwide ban is long overdue. Leslie Adogame, executive director of Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, a Nigerian non-profit, remarked, "It's good to start with low-hanging fruits, which is single-use plastic, and beginning the implementation at government offices is a good signal."