Nigeria hosted a conference in Lagos to celebrate World Environment Day, where stakeholders emphasised the significance of a circular Economy and environmental policies for the country’s sustainability. Representatives from the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and Tetra Pak West Africa shared insights on the barriers and potential remedies for achieving Environmental Sustainability in the country. Nigerians are currently using around 100 million Packaging units, leading to a looming environmental crisis caused by Pollution from packaging formats.
Failure to recycle these formats will increase risks to public health, harm essential ecosystems, and decline the country’s overall welfare. According to recent findings from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), PET can decompose up to 500 years. On the other hand, beverage cartons, primarily composed of paper with a small amount of plastic and aluminium, decompose within approximately five years. In stark contrast, glass goes through the lengthy process of devitrification for thousands or even millions of years before breaking down.
Tetra Pak protects people and the planet through strategic partnerships.
Clement Sunday, the Marketing and Portfolio Director for Tetra Pak West Africa, stressed the significance of sustainability, emphasising the need for collective action to address Climate Change and protect a lasting ecological balance. He also highlighted the organisation’s efforts to enhance its environmental impact and double its collection rate. Tetra Pak is actively promoting a circular economy in the country by collaborating with partners to educate the public about the recyclability of beverage cartons and encourage their proper disposal to help close the loop.
The company is dedicated to ensuring safe as well as nutritious food is accessible to billions of individuals worldwide while prioritising the protection of the environment. Their operations are centred around Sustainability by adhering to circular principles. They upholds its commitment to people and the planet through a value chain approach and strategic partnerships. Collaboration is vital in achieving circularity, as it is a collective effort that involves partners working together across the value chain.
Efforts are ongoing to promote recycling and waste reduction programs.
By teaming up with partners capable of recycling all beverage cartons produced in the country, which amounts to about 11,000 tons, progress is being made towards a more sustainable future. One of their major partners in this endeavour is Chivita Hollandia, the largest partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is actively involved in local recycling efforts. He added in his statement that their recent partnership with a new collector will boost beverage carton recycling rates in the country.
Similarly, the government has established Waste Management facilities and recycling centres to collect and process recyclable materials effectively. Public awareness campaigns and Education programs are also being conducted to promote practices and waste reduction among the population. Through these efforts, the country aims to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal, create new opportunities for recycling businesses, and improve the overall sustainability of its management systems. By implementing these policies and regulations, the government is working towards a cleaner and greener future for the country.
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Lastly, the nation can further enhance its waste management and recycling efforts by emulating the successful practices of countries like Sweden and Germany. Also, by learning from these success stories and adopting similar strategies, they can work towards achieving higher recycling rates, reducing waste generation, and creating a more sustainable environment for future generations. Nigeria can make significant progress towards a more environmentally friendly future through continued collaboration and dedication to recycling and waste reduction.