As the world marks World Environment Day 2025 with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” the Environmental and Economic Resource Centre (EERC) has called for urgent and collective action to tackle the growing threat of plastic pollution in Nigeria.
EERC Program Manager and Agronomist, Mrs. Ronke Adeniyi, opined that the current level of plastic pollution in the country is alarming and contributes directly to flooding, damaged infrastructure, and increased health risks.
The organization warned that failure to act decisively could reverse national development gains and exacerbate environmental and public health crises.
“Plastic pollution, especially from single-use plastics, is not just an environmental threat but a catalyst for crises such as flooding, climate change, and public health emergencies,” she said.
“Blocked drainage systems caused by plastic waste are mainly responsible for flooding that affects homes, schools, businesses, and roads. If not addressed urgently, it will continue to set us back in development as a nation.”
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, with nearly two-thirds ending up as waste. A large portion of this waste pollutes marine ecosystems and threatens biodiversity.
Mrs. Adeniyi noted that the effects of plastic pollution are no longer abstract or futuristic. They manifest daily through environmental degradation, the release of greenhouse gases, and the worsening of global warming and ozone layer depletion.
She stressed that plastic pollution should not be treated as a distant concern but as a pressing issue requiring collective action from individuals, communities, industries, and governments.
EERC commended recent government efforts such as Lagos State’s plan to ban single-use plastics by July 1, 2025, and Ogun State’s Ignite Programme, which trains young people in environmental innovation and waste management.
However, the organization insisted that lasting change depends on effective enforcement, active citizen engagement, and public accountability.
Mrs. Adeniyi also urged the Federal Government to adopt and localize proven global strategies, citing Rwanda’s nationwide ban on single-use plastics and the European Union’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which holds manufacturers responsible for the lifecycle of plastic products.
“We believe strongly that civil society, government agencies, the private sector, and individuals can collaborate to scale up recycling initiatives, promote eco-friendly packaging, and build a robust circular economy in Nigeria,” she said.
The organization also called on Nigerian youth to channel their creativity and energy toward sustainable innovations and entrepreneurship in the green economy.
EERC reaffirmed its own commitment to advancing sustainability through advocacy and public education, evidence-based research, mentorship and training of early-career scientists and researchers, and promoting green jobs and environmentally sustainable careers
“Plastic pollution is a shared challenge that demands a shared solution. The time to act is now—before the damage becomes irreversible,” Mrs. Adeniyi concluded.