Plastics
By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, June 4, 2018 (NAN) Mr John Ekoko, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Environmental Society, Lagos Island Chapter (NESLIC), on Monday called for increased research on biodegradable materials to replace plastics packaging.
Ekoko made the call in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ahead of the 2018 World Environment Day celebration.
The UN set aside June 5 annually as World Environment Day to draw attention to the environment and the need to protect it.
The theme of the 2018 World Environment Day is, ”Beat the Plastic Pollution”.
According to Ekomo, plastics are not biodegradable and consequently not environment-friendly.
”The 2018 World Environment Day is creating awareness of the pollution caused by plastics and the need to reduce it.
”This requires involvement of all tiers of government, organisations manufacturing plastic products and related materials, and individuals – the end users of the products.
”Government should champion gradual phasing out of plastics as packaging materials.
”It should also discourage recycling of plastic products and ensure that citizens imbibe proper way to dispose plastic packages,” he urged.
Ekoko told NAN that plastics were competing for space in the oceans and lands around the world.
He noted that plastics had micro-organisms and were cartogenic, contaminating underground water.
According to Ekoko, those drinking the contaminated water are prone to water-borne diseases.
He, however, expressed delight that some organisations were beginning to turn to paper products as alternatives to plastics.
He called on others to emulate them.
Ekoko said that Nigeria should bring out guidelines on how to reduce reliance on plastic packaging and direct attention to biodegradable materials. (NAN)
ACA/IGO
========
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola