23rd April, 2018
Two environmentalists in Abuja on Monday advised Nigerians to engage in separate collection systems for three kinds of waste to check the prevalence of non-degradable waste in the country.
They gave the advice in separate interviews with newsmen to commemorate Sunday’s 2018 World Earth Day with the theme: ‘‘End Plastic Pollution’’.
Mr Habib Omotosho, the National Coordinator, Environmental Advancement Initiative, an NGO, said Nigerians should be involved in waste sorting arrangement in the bid to prevent preponderance of waste in the country.
Omotosho underscored the need for each household to sort its waste into paper and paper products; bottles and other breakable materials; as well as general refuse.
He added that this would go a long way in supporting the efforts to check the prevalence of non-degradable waste in the country.
Mr Abdullahi Aremu, the Director-General, Advocacy for Environmental and Sanitation Integrity, an NGO, emphasised the need for relevant waste management agencies to specifically label waste bins.
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Aremu added that each of the waste bins should be labelled paper collection, bottles and breakables as well as general garbage.
He explained that the refuse collection system which entailed three different waste bins for the three categories of garbage would promote effective waste management in the country.
Aremu called on the government to strengthen its strategies, policies and regulations for the nation’s effective waste management.
He urged waste management agencies to adopt the use of modern equipment for the collection, disposal and recycling of waste.
He also advised the Federal Government to collaborate with state governments to establish plastic waste recycling plants under its community-based waste management programme.