Policy Alert, ZeWA Call for Legislation to Eliminate Plastic Pollution
By Ekemini Simon
Policy Alert, a civil society organisation promoting economic and ecological justice in the Niger Delta together with Zero Waste Ambassadors (ZeWA), a coalition of experts, professionals and stakeholders in the fight against plastic waste have called on governments at all levels to initiate laws, programs and policies geared towards beating plastic pollution.
This was part of the position reached in a communique signed and issued by the State Coordinator of ZeWA, Comrade Faith Paulinus and Policy Alert’s Lead on Extractives, Energy and Environment, Mfon Gabriel at a one-day fireside chat held in Uyo on Monday to mark the 2023 World Environment Day.
The event which had the theme ” Tackling Plastic Waste: The Role of Stakeholders in Driving the Transition to a Circular Economy”, was organised by ZeWA in partnership with Policy Alert.
The organisations observed that there is insufficient legislation and policies geared towards curbing and reversing the dangers posed by plastic waste pollution.
They noted that plastic pollution has serious impacts on the environment especially on animals and plant life.
They pointed out that the rate of production and release of plastic waste into the world’s water bodies is alarming and contributes to the dangers posed to marine life.
According to the communique, ” The level of awareness about dangers of plastic pollution and measures to mitigate these dangers by the end users is considerably low.
“That businesses engaged in the production of plastic products are not adopting alternative options for plastic.That stakeholders in the fight against plastic waste and pollution were largely undertaking activities that were not in collaborative models.”
To address the concern, the gathering resolved that stakeholders need to collaborate, especially with media partners to increase public awareness of the dangers posed by plastic waste and ways to take full responsibility for mitigation and recovery of the environmental effects of plastic pollution.
The organisations called for businesses, especially manufacturers of plastic products to explore alternative options for producing environment friendly products.
It noted that there is a need for Civil Society and other critical stakeholders to collaborate in pushing a common front for the eradication of plastic wastes with its attendant effects on the environment.
The communique added “Citizens and end-users need to begin demanding for reusable products – eliminating single use plastics that constitute one of the major sources of plastic waste.
“Citizens must take direct responsibility for the implementation of these resolutions by playing their part in compliance, advocacy and demand for an environment that is free from plastic pollution.”