By Obiabin Onukwugha
Global recycling day observed annually on March 18th, is a global initiative that raises awareness about the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment.
It aims to encourage a shift towards sustainable practices and responsible consumption.
Globally, over 2 billion tons of waste are produced worldwide each year.
According to Public Health Nigeria (PHN), Nigeria produces over thirty-two (32) million tons of waste are generated yearly, with only 20–30 percent collected, while the rest are dumped recklessly into water bodies and drainage channels, blocking the water network systems in the process (PHN 2021).
In Nigeria, recycling initiatives are gaining momentum, with organizations like Wecyclers and Vicfold Recyclers, along with initiatives like the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity, focusing on plastic waste collection, processing, and promoting sustainable practices.
Also, the Nigerian government has policies and regulations in place to promote waste recycling, including the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management and the National Environmental Sanitation Policy, which aim to encourage sustainable waste management practices and a circular economy.
Nigerian has also enacted legislation and regulations to address waste management, including the Harmful Waste (Special Criminal Provision Etc) Act 1988, which prohibits the carrying, depositing, and dumping of hazardous wastes, and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), amongst others.
It is reported that Nigeria’s recycling economy is estimated at $40 billion, with plastic recycling playing a central role, and the waste economy is worth over $1 billion annually.
Despite these efforts and potentials, Nigerian cities grapple with excess waste. Many land areas that would have been used for agricultural and development purposes have been converted to waste dumps. Most water bodies have been filled contaminated with wasted, thereby negatively impacting on acquatic life.
This year’s theme for Global Recycling Day 2025 is “Breaking Barriers, A Revolutionary Blueprint for the Waste Management Crisis,” emphasizing the need for transformative partnerships to tackle the growing waste management challenges.
Recycling is an essential part of the fight against climate change and promotes global sustainability. It’s projected to save over a billion tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030. The importance of recycling was underscored during the Coronavirus crisis, solidifying its role as the Seventh Resource upon which humanity depends for raw materials.
There are significant opportunities for sustainable development through effective waste management.
Recycling isn’t just about sorting waste, it’s about protecting our planet. By recycling, we reduce landfill waste, conserve natural resources, and cut down on pollution. It also helps lower carbon emissions, playing a key role in the fight against climate change.
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 addresses recycling and waste reduction. It is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Specifically, target 12.5 aims to “substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse” by 2030.
On the Global Recycling Day 2025, the UN emphasizes the crucial role of recycling in achieving sustainable development goals, urging individuals, businesses, and governments to prioritize recycling and reduce waste to protect the planet.
