We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Plastic Pollution and Framework Towards Sustainable Plastic Waste Management in Nigeria: Case Study
Summary
Nigeria faces a growing plastic pollution crisis driven by the rapid expansion of companies producing plastic bottles and sachet water packaging. This paper examines the scale of the problem and proposes a framework for more sustainable plastic waste management, drawing on case studies of existing challenges and potential interventions. While focused on policy and waste management rather than microplastics specifically, reducing plastic waste at source directly limits the amount that fragments into environmental microplastics.
Plastic pollution and its environmental consequence are on the rise globally. In Nigeria, the proliferation of plastic bottle and sachet water (PBSW) manufacturing companies in various parts of the country has led to an increase in plastic waste generation. Existing studies have identified challenges and the critical need for the adoption of sustainable solutions to mitigate its adverse environmental impact, especially for developing countries. Therefore, the motivation for this study stems from the urgent need for a progressive shift in the studies focused on feasible solutions to the common challenges and strategies for implementation. This study aims to investigate the identified challenges of a lack of awareness and waste management of single-use plastics in Nigeria, towards achieving a circular economy of plastic waste whilst considering its socio-economic context. This study used a mixed method approach combining quantitative and qualitative data through interviews and questionnaires to investigate awareness on the impact of plastic pollution amongst key stakeholders in plastic waste management in the UNN. The potential of introducing a DRS in the sustainable collection of single-use plastic bottle and sachet water waste was also explored. The result reveals the perceived consequence of plastic pollution is short-term, at the level of mesoplastics, physically observed as plastic litter (68.2%), leading to a blockage of canals (65.0%), an excessive rate of flooding (19.1%) and other related issues; effective channels of creating awareness and educating the public on plastic pollution are social media (48.3%), school education (23.3%), mass media (21.7%), and others (6%). An implementation framework for sustainable plastic waste collection was developed from the research findings, adapting the Norwegian Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to suit the current socio-economic context of the population. Additionally, awareness can be increased through targeted government policies that reward sustainable plastic waste management practices, public awareness campaigns, and the use of social media.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Innovations for Sustainable Plastic Waste Management in Nigeria
This paper reviews the current state of plastic waste management in Nigeria and proposes innovations for more sustainable disposal and recycling. Inadequate plastic waste management in rapidly urbanizing countries is a major driver of microplastic pollution in freshwater and marine environments.
Global Plastic Pollution and the Nigerian Dimensions
This review examines global plastic pollution trends with a focus on Nigeria, covering plastic production history, environmental distribution, ecological effects, and policy challenges in the West African context. The authors document how weak waste management infrastructure and high plastic consumption growth rates make Nigeria particularly vulnerable to microplastic pollution in rivers, coastlines, and food chains.
Plastic Pollution in the Environment in Nigeria: A Rapid Systematic Review of the Sources, Distribution, Research Gaps and Policy Needs
This systematic review examines plastic pollution across Nigeria's environment, including water, soil, air, and food. The research finds that plastic contamination is widespread but under-studied in African countries, with significant gaps in data and policy. Understanding plastic pollution in developing nations is critical because these regions often lack the waste management infrastructure to prevent microplastic contamination of food and water.
The importance of microplastics pollution studies in water and soil of Nigeria ecosystems
This review highlights the lack of microplastic pollution research in Nigeria, despite the country's growing plastic production and consumption. The author calls for more local studies to generate data needed for science-based policy on plastic waste management in African ecosystems.
Strategic management of plastic pollution in Nigeria: Balancing best approaches
This paper analyzed Nigeria's legal framework for managing plastic pollution, finding that limited resources, inadequate monitoring, and lax enforcement create a significant gap between legislative intent and practical outcomes. The study recommended strengthened enforcement mechanisms, cross-sector collaboration, and tailored strategies for different forms of plastic waste including microplastics.