The Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) has expressed support for the Federal Government’s decision to suspend the Green Tax imposed on the importation of Single-Use Plastic products.
In an exclusive interview with NatureNews, Suleiman Adama, the General Secretary of WAPAN, highlighted that plastic waste can be repurposed for various uses, which may have influenced the government’s decision to remove the tax.
Adama emphasized that plastic waste is not entirely detrimental as it serves as raw material for other products and can be recycled for road construction and energy production.
He shared his perspective that the government’s removal of the tax reflects an understanding of the potential uses of plastic waste.
Adama stated, “The fear of reducing the plastics in the environment is there, but we all know that these wastes are not entirely bad because we have other uses for them as they serve as raw materials for other products. We recycle, we collect them, we use them for road construction, we use them for energy. I think that is what must have informed the government of Tinubu to remove the tax to allow the plastics because we have uses for them, they are not wastes as far as I’m concerned.”
President Bola Tinubu had on Thusday, suspended the Green Tax, which imposed an Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics, including containers and bottles, to ease the financial burden on businesses and households affected by tax adjustments.
However, this decision has raised concerns regarding its impact on the environment and ongoing efforts to combat plastic pollution.
The Green Tax was initially implemented as part of the government’s strategy to address the escalating issue of plastic waste and its adverse effects on ecosystems. Single-use plastics have long been recognized as major contributors to environmental pollution, with improper disposal leading to contamination of land and water bodies.
When questioned about the justification for tax removal considering the amount of plastic waste in landfills versus what is recycled, Adama emphasized the need for action within the sector. He emphasized WAPAN’s role in organizing waste collection and ensuring proper disposal and recycling.
“It is a call to action for those of us in the sector and that is what my association is all about. Our association is out to organize these wastes because some of those that collect the wastes don’t dump them properly. Some dump them in the gutters, rivers, lagoons. So, we have emerged to organize them to take the wastes to our accredited collection centre’s where they would be schedule for recycling, packaging or export.
Adama also encouraged Nigerians to recognize the opportunities in the waste value chain and called for increased investment and support from the government and investors.
“The whole value chain is there, from collection to recycling, to export, we are fully involved in that. All we need to do now is to appeal to Nigerians that there are a lot of opportunities in the waste value chain. We are ready to educate people so that more people will come into the business. We also need to upscale; we need to call in investors and the government for investment and support.”
Adama reassured that WAPAN’s reach would soon cover the entire country. After identifying individuals involved in waste management nationwide, the association plans to inaugurate state coordinators who will oversee waste management efforts in their respective regions.
The General Secretary acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence in the association’s ability to bring order to the waste management industry and improve waste pickers’ livelihoods.
According to him, WAPAN aims to introduce health schemes and provide necessary equipment, such as gloves and masks, to ensure the safety and well-being of waste pickers.
When asked about the potential short-term negative impacts of the policy’s removal, Adama acknowledged that all policies have transitional periods. He emphasized that WAPAN’s presence and efforts have already made a positive impact, and the situation would have been worse without the association’s presence.
Adama highlighted the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s dire waste situation and expressed optimism that WAPAN’s presence would contribute to its improvement over time.
