Issues as FG bans plastic bottles, Styrofoam packs in MDAs

The federal government recently formally banned the use of single-use plastics across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Single-use plastics (SUPs), otherwise known as disposable plastics, are any plastic items that are used once, and then thrown in the trash.

Examples of such items are plastic bread bag tags, plastic bottles, Styrofoam takeaway containers, straws, among others.

Styrofoam on the other hand is a trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) used for building insulation on walls, roofs, and foundations.

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They are also used to manufacture disposable plates commonly found at eateries or used by caterers.

The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, addressing State House reporters after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting said the single-use plastic ban aligns with the government’s broader plastic waste management strategy.

“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to addressing the triple threat of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The severity of plastic pollution in Nigeria is a major issue in our country,” the minister said.

The federal government’s action was coming after the Lagos State government, in January this year, announced a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics across the state.

Announcing the ban of the products on his X handle, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, lamented that the single-use plastics have become a menace in a densely populated city.

 Also, Oyo State, taking a que from Lagos on March 11, 2024 banned the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related purposes.

The House of Representatives had in February urged the federal government to ban the production, importation, distribution, and use of Styrofoam and single-use plastics in the country.

This followed the adoption of a motion titled, “Need to ban the use and distribution of Styrofoam and single-use plastic across the country,” by the member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Kwara State, Mr Muktar Shagaya.

Shagaya said: “Chemical found in Styrofoam is linked to health issues, such as cancer, vision and hearing loss, impaired memory and concentration, and nervous system effects.”

Studies showed that over 91 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean have implemented measures against the use of plastics.

According to the United Nations (UN), it can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years for the plastic to decompose, and even then, would never fully disappear.

The global body also recently described plastic pollution as a problem, adding that more than 280 million tonnes of short-lived plastic products became a waste yearly.

It highlighted that 46 per cent of this waste was landfilled, while 22 per cent was mismanaged and became litter. Unlike other forms of plastics that are recyclable, Styrofoam is almost impossible to recycle.

Some youth-led non-governmental organisations in Lagos, reacting to the state government’s move, said it was a welcome development.

The NGOs including U-recycle Initiative Africa, Plogging Nigeria, Aquaworld Community Development Initiative, Dhoney Adire and Crafts Nigeria, GreenWithGrin, Eco.Biz, Cleaner and Healthier Nature Initiative, among others, commended the Lagos State government for the ban.

They said that grassroot solutions alone cannot effectively eliminate the plastic pollution crisis without stringent policies.

They said while the ban might come as a shock to businesses, it is a welcome development as some African countries like Rwanda have long effected a similar ban with positive developments.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Director, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Development Awareness (CESDA), Mr Olusola Babalola, said that the government’s action is a welcome idea.

“For us at CESDA, in fact, it’s long overdue in the sense that Styrofoam, also known as polystyrene, is not biodegradable. It is susceptible to photo-oxidation, and degrades slowly in the ocean as microplastic marine debris which in turn in the marine food chain show toxic effects after substantial exposure.

“It is very slow to degrade. So, when it is disposed of improperly, it can leach chemicals into the environment harming water sources,” Babalola said.

He said polystyrene manufacturing is an enormous creator of hazardous waste and as such must be discouraged and possibly pave the way for paper-based bags and other disposables.

He said, “Polystyrene has also been figured as one of the greater contributory factors to global warming. Styrofoam is more than just difficult to recycle; it is made up of toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and animals.

“One of the most concerning characteristics of polystyrene is the presence of styrene, which can be transferred to food and is considered a human carcinogen by the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer,” Babalola said.

Also, the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC) wants to shift towards a circular economy as a more viable alternative to the green taxation model proposed by the government for single-use plastics.

This was contained in a new report themed, ‘Positioning Plastic Waste Recycling as an Inclusive Catalyst for Unlocking a Sustainable Circular Economy in Nigeria’.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO), NCIC, Mr Adamu Garba, said plastic waste has become a critical environmental concern in Nigeria and that rapid population growth and urbanisation have exacerbated the issue, with plastic waste posing a serious threat to public health, ecosystems, and the overall well-being of Nigerians.

Garba said the traditional approach of green taxes, which use financial disincentives to curb environmentally harmful practices, is gaining traction even as he argued that the green taxes, while offering a regulatory mechanism, have limitations.

On his part, an environmentalist, Muhammad Salihu Ahmad, said while Styrofoam and non-biodegradable plastics are cheap, lightweight, and durable and can reduce the cost of transportation and storage of goods and protect them from damage and spoilage, they also pose some environmental and health challenges.

“It is agreed that Styrofoam and non-biodegradable plastics can provide thermal insulation and prevent heat loss or gain. This can save energy and improve the quality of food and beverages and with technology they can be recycled and reused for other applications, such as building materials, furniture, and art. This recycling can create jobs and income for the local communities.

“Styrofoam and non-biodegradable plastics can leach styrene and other substances into food and drinks, especially under high heat. Styrene is a possible carcinogen and a neurotoxin that can cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue,” Ahmad said.

He said the Styrofoam ban is a step in the right direction towards a healthier future and incentivises innovation and the adoption of sustainable alternatives.

He said it will be a step in the right direction if the ban on the use of these substances is carried out nationwide considering the fact that Styrofoam and non-biodegradable plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, clogging waterways, polluting soil, and harming wildlife.

He however expressed worry that implementing these policies poses challenges due to lack of data and statistics, low awareness and education, inadequate infrastructure and facilities, weak enforcement and compliance.

“Therefore, there is a need for more political will and institutional capacity to ensure effective governance and accountability in the plastic sector,” Ahmad said.

However, the decisions to ban the use have raised many issues, especially on how it would affect businesses and the options available.

Another concern is the capacity of federal and state competition and consumer protection commissions and other relevant agencies to monitor the quality of packaging of foods and beverages, particularly in the fast-moving consumer goods sphere in the country.

Among those expected to be hard-hit are polystyrene manufacturers who will be counting their losses, as they cut off wholesale and retail distribution to food vendors and other industries.