UN advocates sustainable plastic waste management by stakeholders

Stakeholders in the environment sector have been urged to take collective responsibility and reinforce commitment to safeguard the home and build a safe blue planet for the coming generations.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mathias Schmale, made the call at the 50th Environment Day celebration organised by the UN and Green Hub Africa, at the UN House in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Schmale, represented Mohamed Yahya, the UNDP Representative in Nigeria, stressed the need for collaborative efforts to address waste management which remains a challenge across the country.

“We need collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, a whole-of-society approach – including Government, private sector, CSOs, and international partners to enhance policy implementation, promote a circular economy, and reduce plastic use.

“Innovative solutions and new technologies are required to tackle plastic pollution effectively in Nigeria. R&D is essential to develop sustainable approaches and alternatives to single-use plastic.” Schmale stressed.

According to Mr. Schmale, Nigeria’s plastic pollution has reached an alarming scale that needs urgent attention.

“Nigeria’s plastic pollution has reached an alarming scale, with neither urban nor rural areas escaping this blight. This country uses over 1.5 million metric tons of plastic each year, one of the highest in Africa. Raising awareness among the general public of the impacts of plastic pollution is equally important. Education campaigns, clean-up drives, and recycling initiatives can move us as a society towards more responsible consumption and waste management.” Mr. Schmale noted.

The UN Resident Coordinator, further reiterates UN’s commitment to tackle plastic pollution in Nigeria.

“The UN will continue to work with its partners in Nigeria to tackle plastic pollution. For instance, UNIDO has been supporting the Government in advancing its waste management policy. UNEP is involved in another project called ‘Circular and POPs-free Plastics in Africa’ which aims to reduce persistent organic pollutants from the plastics value chain. The UN commends the Government of Nigeria for playing an active role at the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee meetings for the development of this global plastic convention.

“We look forward to working closely with the new administration on this issue and others related to plastics. The UN stands ready to provide technical expertise, capacity building, and financial aid as we combat this pollution together.” he explained.

The National program Coordinator, Environment and Energy. UNIDO Oluyomi Banjo, says plastic waste is a global problem, but with a solution.

“For every problem there is a solution, the question is are will ready to embraces the solution? But whichever way Nigeria has no choice than to embrace the solution. Because whatever solution Nigeria is able to show, Africa will embrace it. Some of these solutions are the right policy and regulatory frame work, institutional frame work, should be in place which Nigeria has shown that they have. Now 8s the implementation. That is why partnership is important from all stakeholders.”

In a keynote speech, the Chairman GreenHubAfrica,Professor Obas Ebohon, stressed the need for the creation of an effective market for secondary use of plastic in order to curb pollution.

“The solution rest on the people because they are the ones that manufactures, use and dispose plastic irresponsibly. If the government is able to put facilities in place to make it easier for people to develop, business in recycling, where people can actually pick up plastic, sort it out, recycle and sell it. If they can money out of it, and it becomes profitable, it will inform a lot of people of the benefit. The government needs to escalate other measures in which they design and use of plastic are usually revisited. The best way is to find a mechanism by which people can hold unto plastic much longer, use it, recycle and recycle as many time as possible,” he stressed.

On his part the Chief Executive Office/ Founder GreenHubAfrica, Mr, Henry Bassey, said
“We are a non-government organization that promote environmental sustainability through education, edutainment, advocacy using media platforms and programs. We redesign, repurpose and disseminate simple programms for better comprehension an awareness of local environmental issues. The goal is to leave the earth better by provoking a mindset shift towards climate action for a healthier and sustainable Africa.”

At the celebration, all were urged to take decisive action in creation a brighter and greener future for all.

World Environmental day is aimed at raising awareness and promoting action for the protection and preservation of planet Earth
This year’s celebration is with theme, “Solution to plastic pollution.”