By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting Nigeria’s circular economy, as stakeholders in the recycling sector call for improved policy support.
This was highlighted during a meeting between NESREA’s Director General, Innocent Barikor, and the management of Sonnex, a plastic packaging recycling company, held on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to a statement by NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor, the discussions centered on the economic benefits of recycling and the challenges facing the industry.
Barikor stressed that the circular economy remains a priority for the Federal Ministry of Environment, noting that it not only addresses waste management but also contributes to job creation and foreign exchange earnings through the export of recycled materials such as plastic pellets and flakes.
He also disclosed that the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, developed to strengthen the legal framework for the sector, are awaiting official gazetting.
“Once the regulations are gazetted, we will have a complete framework to fully implement circular economy practices in the plastic sector,” Barikor said.
On his part, Sonnex Managing Director, Anil Mohinani, highlighted some of the obstacles facing investors in recycling.
These include the lack of enforceable laws requiring the use of food-grade recycled PET (rPET) in the food and beverage industry, restrictive policies by foreign countries, and limited public awareness.
Mohinani pointed to Kenya as an example of a country where clear regulations have attracted investment in rPET recycling, and urged Nigerian authorities to create a more supportive environment for local recyclers.
Both NESREA and Sonnex agreed on the need for stronger collaboration between government and industry players to unlock the full potential of the circular economy in Nigeria.
