Plastic pollution: Environmentalist calls for review of environmental laws, policies

Tue, Oct 29, 2019
By publisher
3 MIN READ

Environment

An environmentalist, Ms Gloria Bulus, has called for review of environmental laws and policies to address plastic pollution in the country.

Bulus made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

“Enforcement of laws and policies on plastic ban is also necessary as we provide alternatives.

“Industries responsible for producing plastics should use environment-friendly products or be compelled to pay certain amounts for environmental damage.

“There should be an increase in tax on plastic products as well as increase in prices of plastics items such as straws, plastic cups, plates, bottles and bags, to discourage production  of single-use plastics.

“Plastic recycling centres can be set up all around the country. Waste -to-wealth opportunities can be taken advantage of by citizens to curb environmental pollution and improve livelihood,” she said.

Bulus also harped on the need to sensitise Nigerians to the need for plastic ban before outright ban.

“We need to help Nigerians to understand the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution and also to create a culture of environmental protection.

“There is also the need to come up with realistic laws and policies to address single-use plastics to curb pollution.

“Individuals must learn to reduce their  own plastic waste by bringing their reusable shopping bags to markets or stores, and avoid using single-use plastic bags.

“Industries that produce plastics or use plastics for packaging need to find alternatives or  be responsible for the life span of the plastic they produce.

“We should make use of re-usable plastic cups, plates and cutlery and reject straws and drinks in pet bottles and sachets. We should remove plastics from the environment and dispose them of properly or recycle them ,” Bulus said.

She, however, cautioned against banning single-use plastics without providing environment-friendly alternatives.

The environmentalist said that the provision was necessary for the general good of the populace and the environment.

“We are so dependent on plastic products because it is believed to be durable, flexible, lightweight and affordable, while ignoring the fact that they cause pollution to the environment.

“To eradicate plastic pollution, we must first provide affordable alternatives and do a lot of sensitisation and awareness creation for all, on paper or with words of mouth.

“The question is: Are Nigerians aware of the impacts of single-use plastics? Do they understand the need to ban single-use plastics?

“Do we have alternatives in place when we ban plastics. Are our laws and policies to enforce the ban workable? These are the questions we need to answer,” Bulus said. (NAN)

-Oct 29, 2019 @15:49 GMT |

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