By Isma’ila Umaru Lere
Plastic pollution is one of the most significant issues we face today. Plastic waste has invaded every corner of our planet, from the tallest mountains to the deepest oceans. It poses a severe threat to our ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. This year’s World Environment Day celebrated on the 5th of June served as a reminder to take action and protect our environment.
With the theme ‘Solutions to Plastic Pollution’ and a global campaign movement tagged “#BeatPlasticPollution”, the June 5th event held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire drew our attention to the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and the collaborative and transformative actions needed to tackle the menace. Thus, it is crucial to shed light on the impact of plastic pollution and explore potential solutions to tackle this global issue.
Plastic pollution has become a pervasive problem that requires immediate attention. The production and consumption of plastics have soared over the years, leading to a surge in plastic waste generation. Single-use plastics, such as shopping bags, water bottles, and food packaging, contribute significantly to the problem. These items are often used just for a few minutes but take hundreds of years to decompose, if at all.
The consequences of plastic pollution are devastating. Marine life is particularly impacted, with over 8 million tons of plastic ending up in our oceans each year.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP), plastic accounts for more than 85 per cent of marine litter and waste posing an increasing threat to aquatic life.
Marine animals, such as turtles, seabirds, and whales, mistake plastic waste for food and often perish from ingestion or entanglement. Furthermore, plastics break down into microplastics, which are small particles that can be ingested by marine animals and eventually make their way up the food chain to humans.
On land, plastic waste has clogged dumpsites, canals, waterways, rivers and streams emptying inundated tons of plastic into the oceans daily. According to UNEP, “by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the seas” unless a globally coordinated approach and sustainable actions were put in place to halt the trend.
Cheerful enough, a step towards negotiations on a global scale to tackle the crisis was taken by the environment ministers of the 175 UN member states including Nigeria during the UNEA 5.2 (United Nations Environmental Assembly) meeting held in March, 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This was a significant milestone in the direction of charting a legally binding agreement by 2024 to curb plastic pollution.
Many African countries had enacted laws prohibiting single-use, disposable and non-biodegradable plastics. Of the 54 states in Africa, 34 had passed laws banning plastics while 16 have totally banned plastic bags. Leading the pack were Kenya and Rwanda with latter being the first African nation in 2019 to issue a complete ban on all single-use plastics. On the global scene, South Korea has 68 per cent waste recycling rate and the government introduced plans to “reduce plastic waste by 20 per cent by 2025” according to the Financial Times newspaper.
Nigeria is ranked 9th in global pollution with just over 12 per cent recycling infrastructure and about 2.5 million tons of plastic waste generated annually most of which found their way into landfills, streams, rivers and ultimately into the ocean.
The most worrying aspect is Nigerians addiction to single-use and disposable plastics which constitute substantial portion of plastic waste in the country increasingly causing incalculable harm to the environment.
However, plastic waste recycling start-ups such as RecyclePointsin Lagos and Halba Plastic (daily processing capacity to three tons) in Kano are attempting to change the narrative by translating waste to wealth, curbing plastic pollution and creating job opportunities.
However, there are effective solutions available to combat plastic pollution. One approach revolves around reducing the production and consumption of single-use plastics. Governments, businesses, and individuals can all play a part in this endeavour. Federal and state governments can implement policies to ban or tax single-use plastics, encouraging the use of more sustainable alternatives.
Businesses have a responsibility to provide consumers with eco-friendly alternatives and reduce excessive packaging. As individuals, we can make simple changes in our daily lives, such as using reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and utensils, to significantly reduce our plastic footprint.
Another solution is through increased recycling and proper waste management. Currently, only a fraction of plastic waste is recycled, while the rest ends up in landfills or, worse, in our oceans and natural habitats.
Although plastic recycling is still far below expectation even in more advanced countries such as the United States (with recycle rate of 9%), some countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and South Korea have tighter control and regulations relating to plastic waste management.
According to UNEP, the global rate of plastic recycle is only 10 per cent which is grossly low. Massive scale-up of re-cycling infrastructure and consumer-led departure from single-use plastics will decelerate plastic pollution while providing an estimated 700,000 additional jobs, especially in developing countries.
Governments should invest in recycling facilities and educate citizens on the importance of recycling. Manufacturers can also play a role by using recycled plastic in their products, promoting a circular economy where plastic is reused rather than discarded.
Innovations in materials and packaging can also help address plastic pollution. Scientists and researchers are developing biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastics. These materials can break down naturally and do not harm the environment. Additionally, companies are exploring sustainable packaging options, such as plant-based materials or packaging made from recycled content.
By investing in these innovative solutions, we can reduce our reliance on plastic and move towards a more sustainable future.
Some examples of biodegradable plastics include Polylactic acid (PLA which is a biodegradable polymer made from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane, and cassava. It is commonly used in food packaging, disposable cups and plates, and compostable bags.
Another example of biodegradable is Polyhydroxyalkanoates(PHA): PHA which is produced by some bacteria as a way to store carbon and energy. PHA can be produced from renewable resources such as vegetable oils and sugars, and it is commonly used in packaging, medical devices, and other applications.
Polybutylene succinate (PBS): PBS is also another biodegradable polyester that is made from succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol. It is commonly used in packaging, disposable cutlery, and agricultural films.
In the same vein, starch-based plastics made from a variety of starches, including corn, potatoes, and tapioca can be used in a range of applications, including packaging, food service items, and agricultural films. Same goes for cellulose-based plastics which are made from renewable resources such as wood pulp and cotton.
However, it is important to note that while biodegradable plastics can break down in the environment, they are not necessarily a panacea for the problem of plastic pollution. Biodegradable plastics still need to be properly disposed of to ensure that they can break down effectively, and they may not be suitable for all applications. Additionally, some biodegradable plastics may release harmful chemicals or greenhouse gases during decomposition, depending on the specific material and conditions. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the environmental impacts of different types of plastics and to use them responsibly.
Essentially, Nigeria’s waste management value-chain requires an overhaul and the necessary impetus and infrastructure at community, local, state and federal levels to better manage the plastic and other waste crisis. Hopefully, the recently promulgated national policies on plastic and solid waste management may inject fresh ideas and new approaches to tackle plastic pollution.
Similarly, education and awareness are vital in fighting plastic pollution. Schools, communities, and organizations can organize awareness campaigns, clean-up drives, and workshops to inform people about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution and ways to combat it.
Again, it is essential to recognize that ending the menace of plastic pollution will require a shift in our cultural values and attitudes towards waste and consumption.
We need to move away from a throwaway culture and embrace more sustainable and circular approaches to production and consumption. This will require a fundamental transformation of our economic systems, which are currently based on linear models of production and consumption.
Besides, it is our responsibility to protect our environment and leave a healthy planet for future generations. Let us strive to make every day an environment day and work towards a plastic-free world.