SEO Riders:
– BAN Toxics marks Plastic Bag‑Free Day with renewed advocacy for SUP bans and biodegradable alternatives.
– Community associations and universities unite, urging policy reforms, stakeholder engagement, and EPR adoption.
– Rural NGOs trained over 1,200 individuals in plastic upcycling to foster sustainable livelihoods.
To mark Plastic Bag‑Free Day 2025, environmental justice NGO BAN Toxics, alongside local community groups and university associations, has intensified calls for an immediate end to single-use plastics (SUPs) across Nigeria. The coalition emphasised the urgent need to switch to biodegradable alternatives—including bags made from pandan, rattan, water lily, and canvas—and warned that polymer‑based “eco‑bags” merely prolong reliance on wasteful plastic. They urged government action on Extended Producer Responsibility, highlighting that grassroots support and awareness campaigns must underpin enforcement efforts.
This nationwide push coincides with increased training efforts: NGOs under the Global Plastic Action Partnership have equipped over 1,200 rural women, youth, and people with disabilities to upcycle plastic waste into sustainable goods, generating income and reducing pollution in Kano, Cross River, and Niger States. Civil society and academia, convening during World Environment Day forums, also pressed the Federal Government to adopt robust policy reform—including fast-tracking SUP bans from 2025, investing in recycling infrastructure, and institutionalising producer accountability. With flooding and clogged drains already affecting public health and urban resilience, activists argue this multifaceted approach—combining legislation, community education, and circular economy incentives—is essential to properly tackle Nigeria’s plastic crisis.
