WED: FG urged to implement policies on production, use of plastics

The Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN), an umbrella body of Impact Assessment Practitioners in Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to develop, implement and enforce strong laws and policies that will curb the production and use of unnecessary single use plastics.

This was contained in a statement to mark the 2018 World Environment Day with the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution: If You Can’t Reuse it, Refuse it’ signed by the national president, Ahmed Sanda and the publicity coordinator, Engr Mamoud Abubakar.

The association said levies and taxes should be imposed on producers and consumers of single-use plastics such as plastic shopping bags.

“Implement the Extended Producer Responsibility programme where manufacturers must be held to account for the entire lifecycle of their consumer products,” the statement read.

While noting that proper management of plastic waste, through the promotion of the three R’s of waste management - “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” - should be adopted, the association also called for encouraging research into alternatives to plastics.

“Raise awareness and enlighten the public about the effect of plastics, especially the single use/disposable ones on the environment and human health.”

They said: “While we call on government to take necessary action against plastics pollution, there are so many things that we can do as individuals. Nigerians should individually and collectively reconsider their plastic habits by reducing the use of disposable plastics and using alternatives to plastics.”

According to them, the people should ask restaurants, stores and supermarkets to stop using bags and straws and embrace the use of biodegradable wraps, saying, “Bring your own coffee mug to work instead of using disposable plastic cups; take own shopping bags to the supermarket and your container to collect your take- away food, instead of the normal disposal plastic take-away packs.”

They urged individuals to reject plastic cutlery, pick-up any plastic they see while on a walk and create awareness on the dangers of plastics pollution among friends and family. This year’s World Environment Day provided an opportunity for each of us to embrace the many ways that we can help to combat plastic pollution in Nigeria.