The Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, says strategic investments in Nigeria’s circular economy, particularly in plastic waste recycling, could significantly increase the nation’s foreign exchange earnings.
Speaking during a meeting with Sonnex, a plastic packaging recycling company in Lagos, Barikor noted that the Federal Government prioritises circular economy initiatives as part of the Presidential agenda for the Federal Ministry of Environment. He revealed that the draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, soon to be gazetted, will strengthen the legal framework for implementation in the plastic sector.
“The pellets and flakes you produce and export generate foreign exchange. Once the Plastic Waste Control Regulations are gazetted, we will have the framework to fully implement circular economy in the sector,” Barikor said, adding that the initiative also addresses waste management challenges and creates green jobs.
Sonnex Managing Director, Anil Mohinani, outlined the company’s rPET bottle production process and highlighted industry challenges, including the absence of regulations mandating food-grade rPET use in the beverage sector, restrictive foreign trade practices, and low public awareness. He called for policies similar to those in countries like Kenya, where regulations encourage rPET investments.
