Nigeria: Why UN plastic treaty matters by Remmy Nweke

WeekendSalvo@NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

The global push for a UN plastic treaty has profound implications for Nigeria. REMMY NWEKE in this WeekendSalvo@NaijaAgroNet details how the nation’s pervasive plastic waste threatens food security and livelihoods, while arguing that this global crossroads presents a golden opportunity for Nigeria to embrace a circular economy and build a more sustainable future.

Look around any Nigerian city or village, and you will see a constant presence: plastic. From sachet water bags to discarded food wrappers, this waste has become a familiar, and damaging feature of our landscape.

It's a daily reality for a Lagos fisherman pulling plastic bags out of his nets instead of fish, for a farmer in Kano whose soil is becoming choked with plastic films, and for the waste pickers who face health risks from burning discarded materials to survive.

The global push to end plastic pollution, culminating in a new United Nations (UN) treaty, has profound implications for these communities.

Nigeria is a major generator of plastic waste, with millions of tonnes produced annually. Much of this waste ends up in open spaces, gutters, and rivers. This is not just an eyesore; it's a serious threat to public health and livelihoods.

Clogged drainage systems lead to devastating floods that destroy homes and businesses. Meanwhile, the insidious spread of plastic microparticles contaminates our soil and water, affecting crops and livestock, and ultimately, entering our food chain through the very fish and produce we consume.

This is where the UN treaty comes in. This week, negotiations have been at the forefront of global conversations, with two key points causing major disagreements: Production Limits, where some of the world's biggest plastic producers are resisting calls to limit how much new plastic can be made, and Trade Rules, where countries are debating how to create consistent rules for trading new, sustainable alternatives to fossil-fuel plastics.

For Nigeria, this debate is crucial. A strong treaty could provide the framework, technical support, and financial resources needed to empower those on the front lines of this crisis.

It directly impacts our most critical sector, agriculture, where plastic waste clogs irrigation channels and is often ingested by livestock, leading to health issues and economic loss for farmers.

In our coastal communities, plastic pollution harms fish populations, threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on the ocean.

However, where there is a problem, there is also an opportunity. This push for a global solution is driving innovations in the packaging and materials sector. For a country rich in agricultural resources, this is a golden chance.

New technologies are being developed to create bio-based materials from plants including those derived from seaweed. Imagine a future where the waste from our abundant cassava, maize, or even yam production could be transformed into eco-friendly packaging.

This is the essence of a circular economy: making value from what was once considered waste. Instead of simply importing plastic and then dealing with the mess, Nigeria can lead by example.

Our government has been developing its own National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, a concept known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). By implementing such policies, Nigeria can be at the forefront of this global change.

We can invest in returnable packaging systems and encourage companies to create products from locally sourced, biodegradable materials. It's about building a system where a single-use sachet is not a dead end, but a starting point for a new, cleaner product. The informal waste-picking sector, which already provides a livelihood for many, can be formalized and supported, creating new green jobs and safer working conditions.

The global fight against plastic pollution is not just a problem for distant countries; it's a call to action for every community in Nigeria.

By embracing a circular approach, we can clean up our environment, protect our farms, and build a more sustainable future for the next generation.