NESREA to soon kickstart extended producer responsibility programme in Southwest —Zonal director

Mr Adeleke Ajani, the Southwest Zonal of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Authority (NESREA) has said the agency will soon commence the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme in the region.

Speaking with Ecoscope on the fallout of the World Environment Day, held recently with the theme: ‘Beat plastic pollution,’ Mr Ajani, said, “The theme will not die with that day. Plastic is a waste stream that is everywhere, encroaching into major roads, water bodies and vegetation. The agency is stepping up awareness creation, advocacy and collaboration, so that people will know how to manage plastic waste, because of impact on human life and environment.”

The zonal director added that “There are a lot of projects which the zone will kickstart once the headquarters gives the go-ahead. One is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme of the agency, where manufacturers of products are supposed to manage the packaging materials.

“We have an alliance with beverage companies like Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Cadbury, Nestle that have formed a group under this extended producer responsibility programme.

“It is a programme that will generate a lot of jobs, and that will clean the environment; the problem of plastic wastes will be addressed. There will be a buy-back programme where people will get paid for returning packaging materials, particularly plastics and nylons.

“We want to encourage people to start recycling. We will organise workshops, seminars and collaborate with recycling bodies like Wecyclers, RecycleGarb and more to let people know that there is wealth in waste. No waste is a waste. They can be recycled and converted to other materials.

“We want to register scavengers under EPR programme. They are doing a good job and we want to give them a sense of belonging. We will register all recyclers and monitor their activities.”

“Hopefully, before the end of this year the programme will start from the headquarters. It is a programme that has guidelines; its nationwide launch is what remains.”

He had this advice for the public.  “Let’s change our attitude towards waste management. Let’s cooperate with government, because the government cannot do it alone.”

The EPR programme when it begins is particularly significant for Southwest Nigeria. The region is the hub for manufacturing companies in Nigeria, having multinational companies like Cadbury, Nestle, and Guinness and other companies that utilise plastic packaging situated in the region.