By Abbas Nazil
The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) has called on the Nigerian Government and the National Assembly to prioritize investment in recycling infrastructure rather than impose an outright ban on single-use plastics.
It warned that a poorly implemented prohibition could undermine both environmental progress and economic stability in Nigeria.
The group made the appeal during its presentation before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Preparedness for a Single-Use Plastics Ban in Abuja.
Justifying its position, FBRA argued that Nigeria’s plastic pollution challenge is driven more by weak waste management systems than by the existence of plastic packaging itself.
According to the Alliance, the core problem lies in the absence of efficient collection, segregation, and recycling systems, as well as widespread poor disposal practices that allow plastic waste to accumulate in the environment.
Citing data from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the group noted that Nigeria generates approximately 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, while its waste management infrastructure remains significantly underdeveloped and unable to handle the volume effectively.
FBRA highlighted its operational achievements since its establishment in 2018, including the recovery of more than 117,000 tonnes of post-consumer packaging materials and the establishment of 16 collection centres across six geopolitical zones of the country.
The organization also stated that it has engaged over 200 communities and developed a closed-loop recycling system for PET bottles in Lagos, which it said has contributed to measurable reductions in plastic leakage into the environment.
It further disclosed that its member companies have invested more than ₦1.3 billion in plastic waste collection infrastructure, while the broader industry has committed over ₦3 trillion toward recycling facilities across the country.
FBRA warned that an abrupt ban on single-use plastics could jeopardize these investments and slow down ongoing efforts to build a sustainable recycling ecosystem capable of addressing Nigeria’s long-term waste management challenges.
The Alliance noted that its position aligns with views expressed during the legislative hearing, where calls were made for a structured transition rather than an immediate prohibition that could disrupt economic activities and existing waste management systems.
The Speaker of the House, through a representative, reportedly supported the idea of a gradual transition, while the Committee Chairman, Terseer Ugbor, emphasized the need for reforms that balance environmental protection with economic realities.
FBRA proposed a circular economy framework built on three key strategies, including reducing material use through packaging optimization, promoting reuse systems to extend product life cycles, and expanding recycling through stronger recovery and take-back schemes.
It also expressed concern over the potential socio-economic consequences of a sudden ban, warning that more than 25,000 direct jobs in the plastics sector and over three million indirect livelihoods could be affected across logistics, informal waste collection, and recycling value chains.
According to the Alliance, waste pickers and aggregators, who form a critical part of the recycling ecosystem, could lose their primary sources of income if a structured transition plan is not implemented alongside regulatory reforms.
Executive Director Agharese Onaghise called for a “just transition” approach, stressing the need for policies that reflect current infrastructure realities while setting realistic targets and investing in systems that can deliver measurable environmental outcomes.
He emphasized that Nigeria must adopt a balanced approach that avoids disrupting livelihoods while still achieving significant reductions in plastic pollution through structured investment and long-term planning.
FBRA also recommended the development of a phased national roadmap extending to 2040, aligned with Nigeria’s Circular Economy Roadmap, alongside mandatory recycled-content requirements and stronger enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks.
The Alliance further called for the creation of a transition finance facility supported by concessional funding to accelerate infrastructure development and ensure that recycling systems are adequately funded and operational nationwide.
It concluded by urging sustained stakeholder engagement and stronger regulatory implementation, arguing that a recycling-led strategy offers a more practical and inclusive solution to Nigeria’s plastic pollution crisis than an outright ban on single-use plastics.
