Environment Day: Society urges local solution to tackling plastic waste
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By Felicia Imohimi
The Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) has called for collaboration among stakeholders on finding local and innovative solutions to plastic waste crisis in the country.
The society said such collaboration should be geared towards rethink, refuse, reuse, reduce and recycle of plastics for a sustainable environment.
Dr Efegbidiki Okobia, President of NES, made the call at the commemoration of the World Environment Day (WED) in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WED is commemorated annually on June 5 with the theme for 2025 being: “Plastic Waste Pollution Solutions”.
Okobia said solution to plastic pollution was not dependent on government alone but a collective effort of stakeholders, government and private sectors as well as multilateral organisations.
He said the theme highlighted the critical need for concerted efforts to address the widespread and detrimental impact of plastic pollution on ecosystems, public health, and the economy.
Okobia, who identified plastic pollution as a global crisis, emphasised that Nigeria was not immune to its devastating effects.
“Each year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste find their way into our rivers, streets and communities, endangering biodiversity and exacerbating urban flooding.
“We have identified various challenges such as poor enforcement of regulations and laws, lack of adequate waste management infrastructures, and citizens poor behavioural attitude towards waste management.
“There is also lack of awareness on waste disposal laws among others,” he said.
He said that the Society had adopted a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to tackling plastic waste pollution in the country.
Okobia said the Society, in collaboration with partners, intended to establish a recycling facility to help curb the menace on plastic pollution and other waste management issues if the FCT administration allocated land for that purpose.
“We will continue to collaborate with the United Nations in Nigeria, African Union, ECOWAS, and welcome other multilateral organisations and private companies.
“NES will set up a recycling plant with its partners and change the narrative.
“Our collective actions—no matter how big or small—will shape the future of our environment and safeguard the wellbeing of generations to come.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions for plastic waste pollution. Together, we can create a cleaner, greener Nigeria,” he said.
He identified solutions to reducing plastic pollution locally to include promoting sustainable alternatives and encouraging the adoption of reusable and biodegradable materials to replace single-use plastics.
“Others are enhancing the collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure to minimise plastic waste leakage into the environment, supporting local innovation and fostering entrepreneurship. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Uche Anunne
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