The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has decried the increasing rate of single use plastics, pet bottles, polystyrene and other non-biodegradable wastes in different parts of the State, noting the need for urgent steps to revert the trend and further encouraged reusable plastics or biodegradable materials which are cost effective, eco friendly and devoid of environmental nuisances.
Ahead of the UN resolution pledge of 2019 to tackle and face out plastic pollution by 2030, LASEPA recently bans single use plastics among its staff to drive home its advocacy campaign on alternate multiple use products and safe our oceans and drainages. The agency General Manager noted that the idea of presenting its staff with multiple use cloth bags, personalized reusable water bottle, wrapped in old newspaper was not only laudable but symbolic in the agency’s fight against plastic pollution.
Its worrisome to note that everyday around 8 million pieces of plastic makes their way into the ocean, with attendant widespread problems affecting the marine environment, threatens the ocean health, health of marine species, food safety and quality, human health, coastal tourism and contribute to climate change, “.
LASEPA as the police of the environment is leading its talk with the launch of ban on Single plastic use among its staffs in other to protect the environment and encourage eco-friendly products. The success of the pilot experiment would encourage recommendation for other government agencies to implement.
Research has shown that, if plastic production is unabated, the amount of plastics floating in the ocean may likely outweigh all the fish in the sea by the year 2050 as many seabirds and marine mammals die annually due to plastic waste. Unhealthy environmental attitudes have a vicious cycle effect on the lives of the people; therefore to bequeath to generations yet unborn, a sustainable environment, every all hands must be on deck.
To curb the tide of plastic pollution, the agency had in the past taken some eco friendly measures such as beach and market clean ups at Oniru beach and Sura market respectively, town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders and engagement of beverage/drink manufacturers to achieve zero plastic waste and proper disposal of waste.
“Single- use plastics represent the epitome of a throwaway culture that ends up in landfills, oceans, waterways and causes environmental and health hazards, we collaborated with Cleaners Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CPAN) to advocate for attitudinal change towards recycling, plastic pollution, disposal and also promote reward system through our cash for trash programme to encourage wilful compliance. She added
Water dispensers and paper cups were placed at strategic places within the LASEPA building for staff accessibility, in addition to all department and unit head offices. Its worrisome to discover that various meetings and conventions on plastic pollution yielded nothing or little result regarding various recommendations. The main reason why LASEPA as a front runner in terms of environmental protection decided to practice what we preach.
“I will be handing over water dispensers as well as some reusable items to all the departments and units as my personal contribution to this campaign on ban of single use of plastic by LASEPA. All the gifts; reusable water bottle (Research has shown that after sorting of the agency waste, pet bottles were filling dust bins faster than other waste items), recyclable multiple use cloth bag, and the choice of using old newspaper as wrappers is to advocate for suitable and multiple use alternatives that is cost efficient, friendly and devoid disposal problems. Fasawe said
The objective behind the symbolic items is to ensure total compliance by all the staffs and encourage them to become an advocate of recycling and reusable products in their respective places of residence, indirectly promoting the secular economy of waste to wealth thrust of government.
The agency in the New Year is considering supplying raw materials, in terms of shredded used documents to toiletries and paper manufacturers to recycle into new useful material rather than littering the bins with paper waster. It will also be focusing on air quality, in order to limit the effect of polluted air which is currently affecting vulnerable age groups, both the elderly and babies.
“This year we are going for air pollution, you must service your car as and when due, your generator must not emit smoke and even for telecom sector, their mast, if they cannot use gas to power their masts, they will have to find a way to ensure that the waste oil is re used and reused and reused, “the General Manager stated.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources, Mrs. Belinda Odeneye who was at the launch revealed that her ministry has a Plastic Waste Management Policy in place and a Recycling Bank for plastic wastes within its premises where people can exchange their plastic wastes for money.
She appreciated LASEPA for championing the advocacy on reusable plastics/products and for setting the pace for environmental sustainability for emulation by other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of the State Government. The move according to her would guarantee quality health for the citizenry and also reduce the rate of some avoidable loss of lives caused by polluted environments