Business
FG To Phase Out Non-Biodegradable Plastics
The Federal Government in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Dev Organisation (UNIDO) has begun the process of phasing out non-biodegradable plastics to ensure environmental sustainability.
Supervising Minister of Environment, Mr Darius Ishaku, who stated this at the stakeholders workshop in Abuja, recently on the phase out of non-biodegradable plastics in the country said that his ministry has began the process with a stakeholders workshop to sensitise Nigerians and develop an action plan for its phase-out.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Taiye Haruna, the minister said that plastic waste accounted for more than 20 per cent of Municipal Solid Waste in the country.
The non-biodegradable plastics he said, are plastics that do not break down at all or that requires mechanical or chemical process to breakdown.
He said “the Federal Government recognizes that the uncontrolled use of plastic materials and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste particularly shipping bags and pure water sachets is detrimental to the environment.
The large scale flooding of major Nigerian urban cities and villages in recent years particularly in 2012, is a clear testimony of this danger. Several attempts have been made by government at all levels to reduce the burden of plastic waste”, he stated.
According to him, one of the measure in tackling the matter is the establishment of plastic recycling plants in 26 selected cities in Nigeria, where nine sites have been completed and are in operation.
He said that the completion of the plants would handle a significant volume of the plastic waste generated in the country, and will provide employment for Nigerians and raw materials for plastic sector.