World looks to ecosystem approach to solve plastic waste problem

Nigerian streets and roadsides are gradually turning into refuse dumps. Plastics top the list of wastes disposed indiscriminately in Africa’s most populous nation. The multiplier effects of plastic waste pollution in the environment are many. Plastic wastes and other refuse dump sites are now habitations for rats and mosquitoes, exposing the locals to public health threats. This practice over time has led to blockage of drainages and waterways, resulting in flooding.  

Plastic pollution has recently gained a global attention, with Nigeria taking its position in the emerging environmental public health threat. According to the World Population Review of 2021, Nigeria is rated as the seventh largest country in plastic wastes, generating 5.96 million tons of plastic wastes annually. About 88 percent generated are not recycled, rather, they end up in landfills and waterways. Plastic pollution does not only negatively impact the environment but also the health and safety of human lives.  

Indiscriminate waste disposal

The usual excitement that comes when it rains, especially with the cold natural climate accompanying it, turned out to be an unforgettable ordeal for John Joshua. He is one of the residents of the Maraba suburb community and a petty trader who sells food stuff at Maraba Main Market, Nasarawa State, North-Central, Nigeria, On a Saturday morning, he decided to quickly rush to the market to attend to his business despite the seeming bad weather.

That same day, it rained heavily, causing flooding and leaving plastic wastes littered in the environment. Shortly after the rain had ceased, John received a phone call from a neighbour informing him that his house had been flooded. He rushed to the house to confirm the information. On reaching home, he could not hold back his tears as the flood had destroyed his house and property.

There are many others with a similar experience. 

This writer conducted an online survey through a cloud-based platform (Google Form) to assess knowledge, perceptions, challenges, and mitigating factors affecting environmental plastic pollution. The responses of the participants are shown in the chart below:

These responses are clear indications that environmental plastic pollution requires a holistic approach to combat the threat as soon as possible. 

Nigerians on the streets are concerned about the environmental threat posed by plastic pollution. Martha Jane, one of the Nigerians interviewed, bared her mind on the devastating effects of plastic pollution such as flooding. She blamed the frequent burning of plastic wastes on a lack of waste bins and a poor waste management system, noting that the aftermath effect often led to environmental pollution.  

Environmental experts have added their voices to the call for scaled-up action to get reduce plastic pollution in the environment. An environmental expert, Chinedu John, emphasised the need for concerted efforts to stem environmental plastic pollution. John stressed the need to intensify awareness-building efforts in communities and embrace proper disposal of plastic waste in the environment. He also urged the public to adopt an eco-friendly approach by not burning plastic wastes, advising them to dispose of them in the trash bins. He further called for policy adjustments that would incorporate a plastic pollution-free environment, strengthen existing structures, and engage the private sector in plastic waste management..

Contributory factors

• Indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste: Indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste has become worrisome. It is a usual practice among many Nigerians to throw plastic wastes along the streets without having considering the consequences. In the long run, these indiscriminate plastic wastes accumulate to block the flow of waterways resulting in flooding and stagnant pools of water that provide a habitat for insects and rodents to thrive and spread diseases.

• Poor plastic waste management system: The waste management system is far from getting it right, probably due to a shortage of personnel and equipment to mop up the waste collection from communities and strategic waste dumping sites. Furthermore, the lack of waste segregation, particularly of plastic from solid waste, poses a significant challenge, as collected waste is all mixed and disposed of together.

• Scanty recycling companies: The number of recycling companies is insufficient to match the massive plastic waste turnout. The plastic waste generation in Nigeria annually is estimated at 2.5 million tons. 

Achieving plastic-free environment

• Continued education, awareness creation on proper disposal of plastic waste, provision of waste bins, and timely collection of wastes by the concerned management authority are key in the drive to achieve a plastic-waste-free environment.

• The culture of cleaning the space and proper disposal of plastic waste remain a first line remedy to a clean, safe and healthy environment. Plastic-free environment is a call of duty to everyone in support of stemming plastic pollution, experts say.

• The waste management system needs a complete overhaul to meet the current reality in the quest for a clean, safe, and healthy environment. Also, the private sector can partner with the government in the drive for efficient waste management systems at all levels to create a viable and working system. The government, on its part, can provide a policy framework for the efficient control of plastic waste pollution and smooth running of the waste management system. The plastic waste system can turn out to be a new goldmine for Nigeria in terms of creating job opportunities for the teeming populace, but more needs to be done.

A clean, safe, and healthy environment is a possibility and everyone’s business, not just the government’s alone. A clean environment is a safe environment.  

This story was supported by the Africa Data Hub Community Journalism Fellowship