In the search for a global solution to the problem of plastic waste pollution, an indigene of Rivers State, Dr. Benjamin Ejiohuo, says recycling of plastic waste to produce art work remains the solution.
Plasticwaste has become a source of concern to environmentalists, governments and scientists across the world.
Report by Wikipedia had it that plastic waste account for over 70 percent pollution both on land and sea.
According to the report, 52 trillion macro and 51  trillion micro plastic waste litter the ocean.
It says 79 percent of plastic waste is sent to land or the ocean, nine percent is recycled, and 12 percent incinerated.
This report shows a dismal performance in plastic recycling globally.
Now coming back home, the situation is even worse.
Plastic waste litters everywhere.
In the streets, there are millions of plastic waste and some are later washed into drains and gutters by rains.
The result is the death of fishes and other marine organisms. On land, plastic waste pollute underground water thereby constituting dangers to man.
Both macro and micro organisms are also attacked in the soil leading to reduction of nutrients for crops.
But as effort towards finding a global solution intensifies, Dr Ejiohuo who is an artist, says plastic waste can be recycled to produce art work.
Ejiohuo hails from Run dele, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He is into creative work and for the past 20 years, he has been involved in the conversion of plastic waste and wood to art work for societal usage.
He told The Tide in an interview the most efficient way to curb plastic pollution is to recycle them.
Ejiohuo said plastic waste recycling can solve many problems facing the society.
He listed some of the problems to include pollution, job creation, skill impartation and others.
“It is a solution to pollution.What I  am doing is giving life back to waste,” he said.
Explaining how he does it, he said, ‘ ‘we bring dead wood and plastic waste together, refined them to produce art work.
“This is another medium of waste recycling”.
Ejiohuo said since plastic takes hundred years to decay,it has become imperative that the system be encouraged especially in this part of the world.
He said mass enlightenment and industries need to be built while people like him need to be encouraged to impart the knowledge to the youth.
“Government is just not concerned about most of the important things.
“The government should empower me to teach this knowledge to the youths,” he intened.
He added that government knows what to do but has refused to do it.
He boasted that if empowered, even those who throw plastic away will benefit as they will be made to sell them for recycling.
“It will have multiplier effect on the society.
‘‘First, it will reduce pollution, second it will impart skills and knowledge to the youth and lastly it will be a source of income for millions of households.’’
He also decried low patronage of art work in Rivers State, saying that the situation has driven most of his colleagues to Lagos and Abuja.
Conclusionvely, it has become imperative for government to look into this sector to curb unemployment.
“Private sector is also invited to invest in plastic recycling with a view to creating jobs for the youth,” he said.

By: John Bibor