Nigeria to enforce new plastic packaging regulations to tackle pollution

NIGERIA – Nigeria is set to implement new regulations that will hold companies accountable for the lifecycle of plastic packaging they produce and use.

Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the regulations mark a significant shift in environmental policy by introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a core strategy.

Plastic packaging, which constitutes 63% of Nigeria’s plastic waste, is the main target of these regulations.

Under the EPR framework, companies involved in the production, importation, distribution, or sale of plastic packaging will be obligated to fund and participate in Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).

These non-profit entities will be responsible for waste collection, recycling, and raising consumer awareness.

Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) director general, Innocent Barikor, stated, “Extended producer responsibility as a strategy shifts the responsibility of waste management to the producers, adopting the polluter pays principle.”

With UNEP’s support and financial contributions from the governments of Japan and Norway, Nigeria is finalizing enforcement mechanisms to ensure the regulations take effect in the coming months.

EPR is a globally recognised legislative tool that has yielded substantial results in Europe, where it has been in practice for over 30 years.

France, a notable example, saw recycling rates for household packaging rise to 67%, and 27% for plastics, according to Citeo, its main PRO. These figures stand in stark contrast to the global plastic recycling rate, which hovers around 9%.

In Nigeria, over 40 companies have joined the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, a PRO dedicated to supporting EPR efforts.

Some members have already taken steps such as converting opaque plastic bottles into clear ones to improve recyclability and incorporating up to 50% recycled content in their packaging.

Despite these early wins, many plastic producers remain unaware of the new regulations, pointing to the need for increased outreach and enforcement capabilities.

The Nigerian government has set ambitious goals for the years ahead. By 2029, the country aims to ensure that all polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles contain at least 25% recycled content, a significant jump from current levels.

While EPR offers a structured approach to managing plastic waste, experts stress that it should be part of a broader strategy that includes eliminating problematic plastics, promoting reusable packaging, redesigning products, and strengthening waste management infrastructure.

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