FG To Phase Out Water Satchets, Other Plastics

The Federal Ministry of Environment has developed a
draft action plan for the phasing out of light weight
non-biodegradable plastics in the country, a top
official of the ministry, said, yesterday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity,
told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja, said
that the draft action plan had already been adopted
by stakeholders in the sector.
He recalled that the ministry, in collaboration with
the United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation, UNIDO, had in December 2013,
organised a workshop to sensitise Nigerians on the
process.
"What we intend to do now is to follow the
implementation of the action plan since the
awareness has already started; the next step is to
source funds from UNIDO to implement the plan.
"Once we have funds, we will continue with other
activities in the process of phasing out heavy non-
biodegradable plastics."
The official said it was not possible to completely
phase out non-biodegradable plastics because of its
importance in the society.
He cited the example of a plastic chair, which is a
non-biodegradable component, to buttress his point.
He said that the ministry would start with the
phasing out of light weight non-degradable plastics
such as table water sachets and polythene bags.
"Those countries that have succeeded in phasing out
the substance started with placing a ban on the light
weight ones.
"Countries like China and South Africa have placed
outright ban on light weight plastic bags while some
other countries have placed tax levies on the
manufacture, retailer and buyers of light weight
bags.
"We are going to be gradual in the phasing out
process as well, so that we will not cause havoc to
the livelihood of people working in the industry.
"We will also use alternative sources that are
economically feasible and environment-friendly to
replace the non-degradable products," the official
said.
He further said that the ministry would start the
process of phasing out with a pilot project whereby
manufacturers would be required to introduce a
substance called "addictive" that would reduce the
non-biodegradable component in their products.
NAN reports that several countries have adopted
measures to reduce the production and use of plastic
materials by the imposition of taxes, fines, restriction
or outright ban of plastic shopping bags.
The countries include South Africa, Taiwan, Kenya,
Rwanda, Bangladesh, Mecedonia, China, Hong Kong,
Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico and United
Arab Emirates, among others.
Source: Vanguardngr