Research has revealed that an estimated six point three billion tones of plastics are produced worldwide while nine to twelve percent are being recycled and incinerated.
Also, an estimated eight million tonnes of plastics is said to be released into the ocean annually.
Consequently, it is being suggested that by 2050, oceans might contain more plastic materials than fish in terms of population and weight.
This postulation should not be discountenanced or waved aside.
The continuous growth in human population will automatically lead to growing demand for plastic products.
Since the plastic products began in 1839 in Belgium, they have been found everywhere and persistent in the environment because of their durability.
Plastics come in various sizes, makes and brands with the accompanied environmental pollution in human water ways and bushes.
Plastics made up of synthetic organic polymers are widely used in different applications.
This ranges from water bottles, clothing materials food packaging, medical supplies, electronic goods, construction instruments, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages including herbal mixture.
Medical experts believed that indiscriminate disposal of plastics on land and in ocean can lead to release of toxic chemicals into the air and harm marine habitants.
Hence, there is the urgent need to halt the growing incidence of careless dumping of plastics in the environment to save humanity from extinction through food poisoning and other risk factors.
Not only that, it has been discovered overtime that most floodings which occurred with dire consequences on human and material possessions are often caused or triggered by blockade of water ways and canals with plastic products.
It is high time the Federal, State and Local governments imbibed modern methods of managing municipal solid waste including plastics.
Though, concerns have been raised on the use of incinerator to burn plastics that can release hazardous chemicals during the process, it cannot be totally neglected, however, with strict regulations and enforcement.
Private and multi-national investors should be given incentives to venture into plastic recycling business which is a major aspect of worldwide efforts in minimizing the yearly eight million tones of plastics entering the earth ocean.
Countries like Hungary, Belgium, Sweden Norway and Holland which have recorded huge success in the management of waste generated through plastics products should be understudied and emulated by the Nigeria government
While the manufacturers of plastic products often labeled such plastics with the slogan’ dispose responsibly ‘consumers don’t take notice or pretend as if they do not see it and this is sad and unacceptable.
Consumers of plastic products must cultivate the habit of disposing the plastics responsibly for the sake of public hygiene and safety.
Legislations must be enacted to make indiscriminate disposal of plastics by members of the public punishable under the law.
Tayo Sanni
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