Paving the way to Zero Waste in Nigeria: SEDI Advocates for Effective Waste Management Policies
By Isaac Eranga
Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the most pressing environmental challenges faced by Nigerians. The existing solid waste management system is affected by economic, institutional, legislative, technical and operational constraints.
Recognizing these challenges, initiating a zero waste advocacy movement to shift the paradigm from disposal-centric practices to a circular economy approach will be of immense benefit to the Nation. Nigeria has a national policy on solid waste (2020), and the government has made a commitment to protect human health and environment from the management of solid waste. But SEDI is using this channel to call on the Nigerian government to make the national policy on solid waste effective and by adopting Zero Waste, which is aimed at achieving sustainable waste management.
Effective zero waste adoption was the central theme of an advocacy project recently implemented by SEDI in Delta State. The objective of the advocacy project implemented by Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) is to set an agenda for Zero Waste adoption, which is aimed at achieving sustainable waste management in the State with support from Urban Movement Innovation Fund (UMIF).
The advocacy sprawl round several activities such as: advocacy visit to the Ogoani of Okpanam with the aim of informing him on the selection of Okpanam and create awareness for zero waste adoption in the community, which is aimed at achieving sustainable solid waste management in Delta State.
The Ogoani of Okpanam, His Royal Highness Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu
During the meeting, the participants were briefed about the need for zero waste as a means of waste prevention through the principles of reduction, reuse, redesign and repurposing. Participants were also oriented on the need to create awareness among community members through engagement and promotion of a circular economy where resources are used efficiently and waste is minimized with prioritization of environmental sustainability.
The representatives of the traditional ruler agreed to mobilize a cross section of members of the community from the four (4) quarters (Obodoogba, Ogbe-Ozomor, Amachai, Obodo-Ogwugwu), and the first of May 2024 was selected for the community dialogue.
The workshop which was attended by stakeholders including environmentalist, community leaders from the four quarters (Obodoogba, Ogbe-Ozomor, Amachai, Obodo-Ogwugwu), Youth leaders and Waste pickers, was aimed at advocateing for effective waste management policies and strategies to pave the way towards achieving zero waste in Nigeria. It sought to bring together stakeholders from the Community, Waste pickers, and Zero waste ambassadors to discuss challenges, share best practices, and develop actionable solutions for zero waste adoption in the Community. The Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, His Royal Highness Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, graced the event with his presence.
The Facilitator, Dr. Tom Aneni, briefed participants about zero waste. He noted that there was an urgent need to support the waste management sector to become more circular and achieving greater circularity requires constant work with local stakeholders, especially improving the skills and knowledge related to better resource management.He stated that the training aims to empower learners with a scientific approach to become Zero Waste champions who: Will help truly understand the complexity of zero waste and sustainable waste management; Will create motivating environments for different stakeholders to get engaged in zero waste solutions; Will help to effectively overcome common zero waste related misconceptions; and Will strive to promote zero waste values that will be vital in communicating proper reduction and disposal methods.
He further presented 10 steps to becoming a zero waste community/city in conjunction with the local government authorities to include:
1. Source separation – Beginning at the household and business levels (the source of
municipal solid waste generation), individuals separate recyclable materials from non-recyclable ones.
2. Door-to-door collection – Responsibility of community to organize the collection of as many recyclable materials as possible directly from households/businesses. This includes paper/cardboard, plastics, metals, glass and, most importantly, organics.
3. Composting – Once food and garden waste is being separately collected and therefore of a high quality, the community should establish infrastructure and incentives for community members to compost. This could be done either at home or via community compost centres; if neither are suitable, larger composting sites can be established.
4. Recycling – With higher amounts of recyclable materials being collected, which are less contaminated due to their separation and, therefore, of a higher quality to the secondary material market, the community should be able to operate effective recycling systems that form the foundation of a Zero Waste City. Revenues can increase and the amount of waste sent to landfill/incineration can be dramatically reduced in a short period of time.
5. Community reuse and repair centres – Every zero waste city should recognize that recycling alone is not enough, and therefore a culture and system needs to be established locally which prioritizes reuse and repair. One of the biggest policies available to a community is to create community reuse and repair centres, where individuals can bring materials that otherwise would have been previously discarded, so that they can be repaired and prepared for reuse again.
6. Incentivize waste reduction – Economic incentives should be introduced to support the community to reduce their waste further. Most commonly this is done via a Pay- As-You-Throw system, which introduces a higher fee for households and businesses that generate the most waste. However, many other options are available to local authorities, such as rewarding homes which compost with discounts to local services and businesses.
7. Zero waste research – Zero waste systems make waste visible. Cities adopting such strategies should continually conduct regular research and analysis (e.g. residual waste assessments) into the waste that is not being recycled. With this information, municipalities are in a much better position to understand what isn’t being recycled, so that policies can be put in place to address and overcome these remaining challenges.
8. Banning single-use items– One of the best ways to reduce waste and also send a strong message to the community is to ban all single-use materials in all public spaces, events and buildings, with reusable alternatives offered instead.
9. Residual separation and stabilization facility – An important aspect of managing the dwindling amount of residual waste that’s being generated is its proper stabilization. Stabilization means that residual waste has been properly treated to remove as many recyclables as possible and to reduce its fermentability. It’s a key method in helping reduce subsequent toxics and greenhouse gas emissions from arising once the waste is land filled. Therefore, alternative facilities should be established to conduct a post-sorting on the residual waste and maximize the recovery of recyclable materials, which is then further supplemented by the biological stabilization of the remaining waste.
10. Transition to safe landfill – With the remaining residual waste biologically stabilized, this should be sent to a safe landfill instead of any form of burning. Over How to aid the separation of waste? How to tackle the issues of separation and control the waste in our locality?
SEDI team also visited the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Delta State House of Assembly to create awareness for zero waste adoption, which is aimed at achieving sustainable solid waste management in Delta State.
Dr. Tom Aneni presenting the zero waste guidelines to the Chairman- House Committee on Environment- Hon. Festus Eseoghene.
Dr. Aneni briefed the Chairman on the need for zero waste as a means of waste prevention through the principles of reduction, reuse, redesign and repurposing, and the need to promote a circular economy where resources are used efficiently and waste is minimized with prioritization of environmental sustainability.
The following policy recommendations were posited:
All stakeholders' inclusive reforms on waste management; decentralization of waste management systems; source segregation; no separation, no collection; Place a ban on open burning with severe penalties; reducing the production of plastic and food waste and improving the waste management and disposal of these two (2) waste streams; Plastic withdrawal policies fully captured in the EPR; reuse, re⁴pair and Recycle/Composting and residual waste management; building Material Recovery Facilities in every community; ban on single-use plastics; Incorporation of waste pickers and formation of cooperatives
On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Festus Eseoghene pledged to propose a ban on Styrofoams in alliance with the Ministry of Environment. He also promised to convene a stakeholders' meeting on waste management and zero waste.
SEDI made similar visit to the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment- Mr. Jamani Ejiro Tommy. The Commissioner pledged to: recognize and set up machinery to register waste pickers; propose a ban on Styrofoams to the State House of Assembly and the Governor; commence conservation and plastic free clubs in schools; and will encourage establishment of plastic recycling companies.
Dr. Tom Aneni presenting zero waste guidelines to Hon. Jamani Ejiro- Commissioner Ministry of Environment.
SEDI also paid advocacy visit to Minphia primary school, Okpanam, Delta State, in order to create awareness among young students for zero waste adoption, which is aimed at achieving sustainable solid waste management in Delta.
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