Initial Inventory of Plastics Imports in Nigeria as a Basis for More Sustainable Management Policies

摘要

Background. Plastic is a waste stream with recycling and recovery potential. However, therecycling rates for plastic in African countries are low. Furthermore, use and production ofvirgin plastics are increasing. Therefore, a high proportion of plastic waste is being disposedof in landfills and dumpsites. Plastic serves as fuel for open burning at landfills/dumpsiteswith associated releases and constitutes a large fraction of marine litter, making it a major andgrowing global pollution concern.Objectives. This study aims to develop an initial inventory of plastics in Nigeria towards thedevelopment of an effective plastics management frame.Methods. A search was conducted of the recent literature and the United Nations (UN)Comtrade database using harmonized system (HS) codes for import data of various polymercategories and major product categories containing plastic. Algebraic expressions weredeveloped for calculation of the share of plastic in these products.Results. Approximately 14,200,000 tons of plastics in primary form were imported intoNigeria between 1996-2014. Approximately 3,420,000 tons total plastic were imported in theform of products and approximately 5,545,700 tons were imported as product components.Approximately 194,000 tons of plastic toys were imported over a six-year period.Discussion. The total amount of plastics imported in primary form and as products equals17,620,000 tons. The total volume of imported plastic, newly produced plastic and plasticcomponents going into the technosphere was 23,400,000 tons. The huge amount of plasticand other polymers entering the technosphere in Nigeria has important implications formarine litter, pollution, waste management and resource recovery.Conclusions. A huge volume of plastics has entered the Nigerian technosphere, with lessthan 12% of the resulting waste entering the recycling stream. There is a need for sustainablemanagement of this crucial waste and resource category. Potential mitigating strategiesinclude waste plastic reuse, recycling, waste conversion to energy, and appropriate plasticcontrol policy frameworks.Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.