The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) joins the global community to commemorate the World Environment Day 2023, with the theme “Solutions to Plastic Pollution.” It is estimated that each Nigerian generates 0.1 kg of plastic per day; 80% of the total plastics end up at dumpsites and in waterways; only 12% are removed by the recycling stream. Plastics break down into pellets and become microplastics. These enter the food chains, water, and air, making them available in human food, drinking water, and the air we breathe.
This year’s event provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the earth from plastic pollution. It also provides an opportunity for developing contextual solutions, as global environmental problems often have localized impacts and require contextualized solutions. Remarkably, the 2023 World Environment Day commemoration is particularly significant as it marks the 50th year of the commencement of the World Environment Day celebration and presents a golden opportunity to deploy science, adapt innovation, and develop sustainable policies towards addressing environmental problems.
HYPREP is about to commence shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration in Ogoniland. Recently, plastic pollution has been identified as an emerging threat to mangroves in the Niger Delta. The clogging of the breathing roots of mangrove plants and masking of the mangrove floor by plastics suffocate and kill mangrove biodiversity (e.g., mangrove crabs) (figure 1). This impacts local nutrition and livelihoods. It also compromises mangroves’ capacity to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change. In response to these challenges, HYPREP is evolving and expanding its alternative livelihoods programmes to include medium-to-high-tech skills driven by innovation and technological advancement to position Ogoni communities on the path for a circular economy. HYPREP also embarks on education and awareness programmes to increase public awareness of the impacts of environmental pollution, especially using the school clubs it has created as potent platforms to sensitize young minds. We are not resting on our oars until the oil-contaminated lands and wetlands in Ogoni are remediated and restored to render effective ecosystem services. As a project with a mandate to remediate and restore oil-polluted ecosystems, HYPREP is positioned to offer solutions to plastic pollution, which synergistically mitigate the effects of hydrocarbon contamination.
In line with the commemorative theme, HYPREP recommends the following:
- Policies that will incentivize systems that will reduce single-use plastics notably, a reward system that supports the removal of plastic from the environment will reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the aquatic environment.
- Reduce plastic production and consumption by promoting sustainable alternatives and reusable products.
- Improve waste management systems, including providing recycling infrastructure, to minimize plastic waste influx into the environment.
- Individuals and businesses should adopt responsible plastic use and disposal practices.
- Enhanced citizen education and awareness about plastic pollution’s impacts.
- Research and innovation are needed to develop biodegradable plastics and alternative materials in Nigeria.
- Development of federal and state-level plastic pollution action plans to provide a roadmap toward addressing the menace.
- Each individual can contribute to ending plastic pollution by adopting simple habits like reducing personal plastic consumption, properly disposing of plastic waste, and supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability.
Happy World Environment Day Celebration!
