FG takes decisive step on plastic waste management

The Federal Government has taken a decisive step in the management of plastic waste in the country by inaugurating a Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the Promotion of Sustainable Plastics Value Chains through Circular Economy Practices.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi said it is instructive that this is taking off at a time the attention of the global community is focused on negotiating the establishment of a legally binding instrument for the environmentally sound management of plastic throughout their entire lifecycle.

He said: “As you are all aware, misuse of plastic and poor management of its wastes pose danger to human health and the environment as they leach toxic chemical constituents such as endocrine disrupting chemicals which have been linked to infertility, diabetes, prostrate/breast cancer, into foods, drinks and the environment. Also, tonnes of improperly disposed plastic wastes litter our streets, clog up drainages in rural and urban areas leading to flooding incidents as experienced in certain parts of the country recently, contaminate the soil affecting farmlands and livestock, littering the oceans thereby threatening biodiversity and increase greenhouse gas emissions when burnt indiscriminately.”