Health And Environmental Challenges Associated with Plastic Waste

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Plastics are non-biodegradable and may progressively break down into smaller particles (micro and nano plastics) that can be trapped in water and foods without visible traces. Plastics can persist in the environment for 1000 years with only 15% of discarded plastics being recycled globally, highlighting inefficiencies in waste management. Nigeria generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and Lagos alone accounts for over 34% (870,000 tonnes) of this. Given the significant threat posed by plastic waste, the Lagos State Government has been most aggressive in managing plastic waste and plans to enforce a ban on specific single-use plastics (SUPs) by January 2025. Most plastic waste eventually ends up in the ocean posing a threat to marine ecosystems. It is estimated that by 2035, plastic waste in the ocean could equal or surpass the total biomass of fish. Plastics contribute to global warming by releasing methane when disintegrating under heat and sunlight and reducing the ability of phytoplanktons to absorb CO₂ and produce oxygen.  Methane is more than 25-28 times a more potent greenhouse gas than CO₂. Plastics have both physical and toxic impacts on animals within the ecosystem. Depending on the size and shape of the plastic, the physical impact may include Suffocation, trapping, entanglement, and ulceration of the gut of ingesting animals, etc. Toxic impacts include endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, carcinogenic effects, etc. Toxic impacts of plastics result from pollutants adsorbed on plastic particles, monomers of plastic polymers, and nano-plastics. INTRODUCTION Plastic, a versatile material with numerous applications, has become deeply linked to the comforts of modern life. Since the creation of nitrocellulose, the first semi-synthetic plastic, in 1862 (9), a variety of plastics with expanding properties and uses have been developed. Compared to traditional materials such as glass, wood, and metal, the appeal of plastic lies in its unique characteristics: it is relatively inexpensive to produce, lightweight, tough, stiff, easily fabricated, and offers good insulation for electricity and heat. These attributes have led to its widespread use in sectors like agriculture, construction, transportation, heat insulation, packaging, manufacturing, electronics, furniture, toys, automobiles, and medicine. From 2000 to 2019, rapid population growth and economic advancements have driven global plastic production to nearly double, increasing from 234 million tons to 460 million tons (18). Approximately two-thirds of plastic production consists of single-use plastics, which typically have a lifespan of less than a month. This growing prevalence of plastic waste is a significant concern, particularly in the absence of targeted strategies to address and reduce the issue. Approximately 20 to million metric tons of plastic waste are estimated to enter the environment annually, with projections indicating a substantial rise by 2040 (8).  Nigeria is estimated to produce approximately 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with Lagos, its commercial hub, contributing 870,000 tonnes (over 34%) annually. Alarmingly, only about 15% of discarded plastics are recycled, leaving vast quantities to accumulate in landfills and ecosystems causing various health, ecological, and climate crises (4). THE PLASTIC WASTE CRISIS Despite its many advantages, synthetic plastics face a significant drawback: they are non-biodegradable due to their structure (long polymer chains) and the presence of additives such as antioxidants. For this reason, discarded plastics may remain in the environment for 1000 years (21). The ocean is the ultimate destination for most plastic waste, which threatens marine biodiversity and ecological balance. By 2035 the amount of plastic waste in the ocean is projected to be equal to or surpass the total biomass of fish, highlighting a severe environmental crisis (20). When exposed to ultraviolet radiation, plastics undergo photo-oxidation, making them brittle and causing them to break into smaller pieces typically classified as macroplastics (>5 mm) and microplastics <1mm). These small plastic pieces are particularly more difficult to manage and pose significant health and ecological threats to aquatic and terrestrial animals. In 2019, microplastics of <0.5mm accounted for 88% of global plastic pollution, contributing to the contamination of ecosystems worldwide (8). In a study conducted recently in Osun River, Nigeria, 22,079 plastic microparticles in 1 liter of water were reported making it the highest reported for any river globally. In the same study, between 407 to 1691.7 microplastic particles were found in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of six fish species analyzed. Microplastic has also been recovered in several other rivers in Nigeria including Nwangele River in Imo State, Kaduna River, and Elechi Creek, in Port Harcourt. ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PLASTIC WASTE ON THE ECOLOGY, HUMAN HEALTH, AND GLOBAL CLIMATE Ecological impact of plastic waste Plastics disrupt aquatic ecosystems in multiple ways, every organism in an ecosystem has a distinct and essential role contributing to the overall ecological balance and functions. Plastic has various adverse effects on different classes of aquatic animals in the ecosystem. These effects may have physical or toxic impacts Physical Impact: Plastic particles of varying shapes and sizes physically harm small and large aquatic animals including such as seabirds, turtles, fish, crustaceans, etc. These harms are typically caused by suffocation, entrapment, entanglement, and ingestion of plastic particles (5). Entrapped or entangled animals may lose their ability to hunt, evade prey, or drown. Ingested plastics may block digestive tracts, damage stomach linings and give a false sense of satiation to the animals. Toxic Impact: Plastics have direct and indirect toxic impacts on aquatic life plants and animals. Direct impacts include toxic impacts from nanoplastic particles as well as monomers and hazardous additives like plasticizers and flame retardants leaching from the plastic polymers. Indirect toxic impact results when plastic serves as a vector for other organic pollutants, heavy metals, and pathogens attached to plastics. In animals, toxic impacts include early mortality, inflammatory responses, inhibited growth and development, reduced energy, low feeding activity, oxidative damage, immunity and neurotransmission dysfunction, and even behavioral abnormality, etc. Plastic particulates can cause unfavorable changes to plant growth, germination, and oxidative stress in plants (7). Studies have shown microplastics in rivers and aquatic animals. This poses significant health to humans that rely on such rivers for cooking and drinking especially in where municipal water treatment plants have not been updated to remove microplastic. Similarly, plastic

Emerging Trends and Opportunities in Plastic Waste Recycling in Nigeria

The Foundation for Investigative Journalism reports that Nigeria is now the second largest plastic polluter in the world only behind India. TAKEAWAYS Innovative Recycling Techniques: Densification: Enhancing the economic viability of polystyrene by compressing it into blocks, easing transportation costs and making recycling more profitable Plastic pellets and flakes: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are collected, sorted, washed and processed into pellets and flakes and sold to advanced recycling companies Pyrolysis: A waste to chemical technology that converts plastics into pyrolysis oil which may be processed into new plastic or other chemical. A pilot pyrolysis unit by BASF Nigeria is being proposed for Lagos. Plastics in Construction: Innovative use of plastic waste as building materials is gaining traction. Examples include PET bottles filled with sand to construct buildings and plastic sand composites for bricks and tiles for pavements. A UNEP Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution is developing a legally binding international instrument to advance the management of plastic pollution. For Nigeria to remain competitive in plastic management it must take advantage of available financial technological instruments. The UNEP Finance Leadership Group on Plastics, a core group of banks and insurers is charged with developing financing framework for plastic pollution. BACKGROUND Global plastic production is estimated at over 460 million tons annually, much of which are discarded as waste after use. Plastic is a non-biodegradable material and can persist in the environment for 100 to 1,000 years, constituting significant health and environmental challenges. It is estimated that Nigeria generates 3.5 tons of plastic waste annually making it 2nd globally after India. The world is plagued with excessive plastic waste and Nigeria is no exception. As plastic waste clog water drainages, it has been identified as one of the factors contributing to the severity of flooding in Nigeria. In spite of the technological limitation of plastic waste management in Nigeria, there are interesting innovative and home-grown ideas that deserve acknowledgment, support and promotion in order to ameliorate the disastrous effect of plastic. Meanwhile, plastics come in different compositions and are not all equal. The most common plastics in use are: Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS). PROCESSING PLASTIC WASTE FOR EXPORT PET bottles are the most sought-after type of plastic by recycling companies. The demand for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is increasing due to regulations aimed at reducing virgin plastic production and encouraging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The global market for recycled PET is estimated to exceed $5 billion, presenting investment opportunities for recycling companies in Nigeria. Local companies like Labacorp Energy, Alef Recycling, and others collect, sort, wash, and process PET bottles into flakes and pellets for export. DENSIFICATION OF PLASTIC TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC VALUE Although polystyrene can also be recycled, its high processing costs make it less appealing to local recyclers in Nigeria. However, densification can enhance its economic viability by making transportation cheaper and easier. Wecyclers Corporation is partnering with BASF Nigeria to densify polystyrene waste into compact blocks with a density of 950-1050 kg/m³, which will reduce shipping costs to larger recycling firms abroad. PLASTIC AS A BUILDING AND FASHION MATERIAL Plastics can be utilized in various construction applications. For example, PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles filled with dry sand, wet sand, or air and reinforced with cement can act as building blocks. In 2011, the Development Association for Renewable Energies built Africa’s first prototype house using sand-filled PET bottles in Yelwa, Kaduna State, Nigeria. This structure is about 18 times stronger and twice as cost-effective as conventional blocks, providing excellent insulation with a consistent temperature of 18°C. Figure 1. Social Innovation Academy (SINA) Project (Source: https://www.greiner.com/en/blog/detail/houses-made-from-plastic-bottles-yes-that-exists/) Another innovative material is plastic sand composite, created by heating a mixture of plastic and sand, where the plastic serves as a binder. This composite can be used to produce bricks, manhole covers, and more. In Kenya, Gjenge Makers LTD and in Ghana, Nelplast Eco Ghana LTD are successful startups using extrusion machines to manufacture plastic sand composites for building materials and paving tiles. While it’s uncertain if similar machines exist in Nigeria, some startups are reportedly using basic methods to heat mixtures of plastic and sand to make bricks and tiles. A notable example is Ifrique Eco Solutions, founded by Instissar Bashir Kurfi, which produces composites from nylon plastic using open-air heating. Additionally, nylon can be repurposed for fashion items. Planet 3R, founded by Adegoke Lasisi, creates beautiful products like bags, shoes, and purses from water sachets and other nylon and textile waste. Figure 2. Eco-Tiles for Pavements (Source: ifrique.com) Figure 3. Laptop Bag (Source: https://www.planet3r.com/project/laptop-bag/) PLASTIC WASTE-2-CHEMICAL USING PYROLYSIS Pyrolysis is a thermochemical recycling technology that breaks down plastic into its monomeric units. The product of this process is known as pyrolysis oil. The oil may serve as fuel or secondary raw material for the production of other plastic products. Unlike other recycling processes, pyrolysis does not require sorting and plastic produced from pyrolysis oil is of higher quality compared to products from tradition recycling technology. However, this technology is beyond the reach of local plastic recycling companies in Nigeria. In 2023, BASF Nigeria proposed establishing the country’s first pyrolysis unit in Lagos. If successful, this pilot project could be expanded nationwide. The oil produced from this process could generate enough energy to operate the unit, with excess oil collected and shipped to centralized locations for export as secondary raw materials for various products. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND THE FUTURE OF PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT Virgin plastic is less expensive than recycled plastic, making it crucial for policies to encourage plastic recycling while discouraging the use of virgin plastic. This goal aligns with the core mission of the UNEP Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic waste, which is developing a legally binding international framework for managing plastic waste. The ability of governments worldwide to implement this framework after ratification will largely depend on the technological advancements of each member state. Thus, it is vital to understand Nigeria’s current position in the waste management value chain. Nigeria must ensure it does not hinder the regional progress toward a fully circular economy in the plastic sector. To