DPI, NSUK Seek Tougher Policies to Curb Plastic Waste

Digital Peers International (DPI) and Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), have called for stronger government policies and stricter enforcement of environmental laws to tackle the growing challenge of plastic pollution in Nigeria.

The organisations said awareness campaigns alone would not solve the problem, urging authorities to introduce tougher sanctions against indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste, promote recycling and compel manufacturers to take greater responsibility for the waste generated by their products.

The call was made at the closing ceremony and awards presentation of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP)-supported **Plastic Waste Solutions 2.0** project held at NSUK under the theme, *”Deploying the Power of IT-Engaged Youth in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management 2.0.”*

Participants at the event stressed that sustainable plastic waste management would require coordinated efforts involving government, manufacturers, educational institutions, communities and young innovators, backed by effective legislation and enforcement.

Speaking at the event, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, NSUK, Prof. Makwin Danladi Makut, described plastic waste as one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental problems because of its slow rate of decomposition.

He urged the country to emulate nations that have adopted strict environmental regulations, including penalties for indiscriminate waste disposal and incentives for environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic packaging.

“Plastics are a menace. If they are discarded in the environment, they don’t break down or degrade. They remain there for many years. Nigeria as a country must really come up with a policy if we must achieve success in waste management,” he said.

Makut advocated legislation requiring households to separate waste at source, the provision of dedicated bins for different categories of waste and strict sanctions for offenders.

“There should be policies where there are separate containers for plastics, metals and other waste. Nobody should throw waste indiscriminately, and anyone who violates the law should be sanctioned. It is only through enforcement that we can effectively manage waste,” he added.

Representing the Minister of Environment, Senior Scientific Officer at the Federal Ministry of Environment, Umaru Murtala, said the Federal Government was strengthening its response to plastic pollution through policy reforms, particularly the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.

According to him, the policy places responsibility on manufacturers for the collection and management of plastic waste generated from their products.

“EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility. It is a policy deliberately designed for producers of plastic to take responsibility for the end-of-life waste generated from their products,” he said.

Murtala explained that the initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), requires manufacturers to participate in plastic waste recovery programmes.

He added that the government had also introduced the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management and the Nigerian Circular Economy Roadmap to promote sustainable waste management across the country.

Chief Executive Officer of Digital Peers International, Dr. Ibukun Odusote, said the project surpassed its initial target by reaching more than 4.5 million Nigerians through digital platforms and community-based activities.

“When we started, we were targeting over two million people. I can say categorically that we have reached more than 4.5 million people through the various activities we carried out, especially through the online community we created under the programme,” she said.

Odusote disclosed that 400 young Nigerians, organised into 100 teams, were trained to develop technology-driven solutions and businesses focused on plastic waste management.

She said participants also carried out community clean-up campaigns, engaged waste pickers, visited dumpsites and explored recycling and waste-to-energy opportunities.

The DPI chief also announced the launch of the Green Energy App, designed to educate Nigerians on responsible plastic waste disposal and environmental sustainability.

“There is an app called the Green Energy App that provides education on what to do with plastics and how to manage them. It is already live on the Play Store, and more digital platforms will follow,” she said.

Director of Waste Management at the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), Ishak Abubakar Ibrahim, said the agency had introduced household waste segregation in parts of the state to improve recycling and support a circular economy.

“In the planned areas, households have different waste bins for plastics, metals, organic and inorganic waste. Sorting begins from the home before the waste gets to those interested in recycling,” he said.

He commended DPI for supporting efforts to reduce plastic pollution and called for increased investment in converting organic waste into fertiliser to enhance agricultural productivity.

Also speaking, National Coordinator of the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, Dr. Ronke Olubamise, said the project demonstrated the capacity of young Nigerians to develop practical solutions to environmental challenges.

“The innovative ideas showcased through this project reaffirm our confidence that young Nigerians possess the talent and determination to develop practical solutions to the environmental challenges facing our country,” she said.

Olubamise urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum through stronger partnerships, innovation and continued community engagement.