Stakeholders Warn Against Single-Use Plastics Ban, Predicting N500 Billion Monthly Economic Loss

Stakeholders in the plastics sector in Nigeria have warned that the implementation of the proposed ban on single-use plastics commonly known as nylon bags will hurt the nation’s economy to the tune of N500 billion monthly loss if the policy goes ahead.

As part of measures to address climate change issues emanating from the dumping of plastic wastes on drainage systems, landfills, roads, marine spaces and public places, the federal and Lagos state governments had announced the ban on single-use plastics in Nigeria from January 2025.

But reacting to the proposed ban, some stakeholders within the plastics manufacturing sector kicked against the government’s rush to implement the ban which they claimed did not emanate from an inclusive and sustainable solution-based discussion with all critical stakeholders.

In their position paper sent to THISDAY, on Monday, the concerned stakeholders, who did not want their identities in print, said there was a need to have a common position among all the critical stakeholders within the plastic value chain industries to government on the sustainable management of plastic waste and an inclusive national plastic strategy and policy which will vigorously promote recycling and circular economy model rather than an outright ban of the plastics.

They argued that plastics are an important daily life item and necessity in Nigeria with widespread use and a critical value chain across the country with stakeholder activities in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.

According to them, the plastic industry is the largest light industry in Nigeria today since the collapse of the textile industry, employing millions of workers and contributing over 500 billion monthly to the economy.

They explained that plastic bags are the most practical and convenient packaging option for businesses and consumers, saying it is affordable to ordinary people, has an energy-saving manufacturing process and a low proportion of solid waste.

Compared with paper bags, the stakeholders argued that the energy consumed in the plastics manufacturing process is reduced by 40 per cent and the solid waste generated also reduced by 70 percent.

“It is an extremely lightweight storage option that does not require a lot of storage space and is easy to transport, reducing the carbon footprint of transportation.

“Plastic bags help to improve health for safe food and water because they are durable and resistant to degradation, they maintain the integrity of the food and beverages stored inside them as they keep them airtight, watertight, and hygienic, protecting the stored products from moisture, dust, and odours,” the stakeholders stated.

Specifically, on the economic benefit of plastics to the country, the stakeholders posited that, “plastics being a by-product derived from crude and natural gas serve as a good resource for Nigeria with the Eleme petrochemical producing the raw material required in the country to support the plastic industries which contributes over 500 billion monthly to the economy.

“The plastic industry being the largest light industry in Nigeria since the fall of the textile industry, banning plastics will have a huge economic impact and can threaten the employment of over a million workers. This will be a disaster considering the current economic situation.”

However, they lamented challenges being faced by plastic and related products manufacturers to operate optimally at the moment due to the current economic realities in the country.

As part of the recommendations, they suggested that the federal government and state governments should, for the time being, suspend the implementation of any new unpopular policy or ban on plastics to allow for further stakeholder consultation and involvement in having an inclusive common position on plastics within the plastic value chain, that will be in line with global best practices and the country’s local peculiarities and realities.

Peter Uzoho

Follow us on: