…group applauds Lagos on proposed ban on single-use, Ogun’s plans to trains youth in waste innovation
As the global plastic crisis deepens, the Environmental and Economic Resource Centre (EERC) has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of plastic pollution, revealing that nearly two-thirds of the over 430 million tonnes of plastic produced annually end up as harmful waste.
In a statement to mark World Environment Day, the organization described plastic pollution as a fast-growing environmental threat with dire consequences for public health, climate, and ecosystems.
“Plastic waste, especially single-use items, is choking cities, polluting waterways, and threatening both human life and biodiversity,” said Mrs. Ronke Adeniyi, EERC’s Program Manager.
She warned that Nigeria is already seeing the consequences—rising flood incidents due to plastic-blocked drains, environmental degradation, and increased exposure to microplastics in food and water systems.
This year’s World Environment Day theme, Beat Plastic Pollution, Adeniyi noted, highlights the need for urgent collective action by governments, industries, and citizens alike.
While applauding efforts such as Lagos State’s proposed 2025 ban on single-use plastics and Ogun State’s Ignite Programme that trains youth in waste innovation, EERC stressed that meaningful progress requires consistent enforcement, public accountability, and a national shift in behavior.
The organization urged the Federal Government to adopt and adapt successful global practices, such as Rwanda’s nationwide ban on single-use plastics and the European Union’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model, which mandates producers to manage post-consumer waste.
“The data is disturbing—if left unchecked, global plastic production could nearly triple by 2060. We must act now to embrace a circular economy built on reuse, recycling, and innovation,” EERC said.
EERC concluded by urging Nigerian youth to lead the charge with tech-enabled solutions and reaffirmed its commitment to research, advocacy, and mentoring for sustainable green jobs.
