An environmental expert, Mr Nnnimmo Bassey, has called for the ban and stiffer penalties on the use of non-biodegradable plastics to curb environmental hazards.
Bassey, who said that plastic bottles, bags and papers, among others, were not decomposable and hence constituted menace to the environment, explained that some countries had placed high taxes on such products and others had also banned them.
According to him, there was no reason why Nigeria should not do same.
NAN reports that countries such as China and South Africa had placed outright ban on the use of lightweight plastic bags.
Others had either placed tax levies on the manufacturer, retailer and buyer of lightweight bags.
“Plastic bags have been banned in some of these countries. I don’t know why we cannot ban them in Nigeria because if we have a bag that is made with cotton or some other materials, we use less of plastic.
“We have a big problem with the issue of waste management in Nigeria and we need to be more serious about it.
“We have a nonchalant attitude about throwing things anywhere. We throw plastic bottles, bags and papers everywhere.’’ (NAN)
He said the plastics bags don’t decay or disappear, thereby leading to blocked drains and litter cities as well.
According to him, recycling of non-biodegradable wastes will reduce the amount of wastes in circulation.
“Environmental sanitation should be an everyday thing. We need something more structured and more lasting to check the health and tidiness of our environment,” he said. (NAN)
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