7 easy steps to tackle the problem of plastic waste in Nigeria

Plastic waste in Nigeria is a serious problem. From the streets of Lagos to the rivers in Port Harcourt, plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers have become part of our everyday scenery. It’s not just an eyesore, it’s also dangerous to our health, our environment, and even our economy. Plastic waste in Nigeria isn’t going anywhere unless we all come together and do something about it.

When we talk about tackling plastic waste in Nigeria, some people immediately think it’s the government’s job or something meant for environmental organisations alone. But that’s not true. Each one of us can play a role,  and it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, with some small lifestyle changes and community effort, we can start seeing a big difference.

With that being said, we’ll go through seven very simple and practical steps anyone can take, from the average Nigerian household to market sellers, students, and even churches and mosques. Mind you, these aren’t just theories; they are real things that can work if we start doing them.

Reduce how much plastic you use

Truth is, a lot of us don’t even realise how much plastic we use daily until we start paying attention. From the water sachets we drink to the nylon bags we collect every time we buy something at the market, it adds up fast. One simple step to take is to cut down how much of it we’re using in the first place. Instead of taking a nylon bag each time, why not go around with a reusable one in your handbag or car? You can even keep one in your office drawer,  it’s small habits like this that reduce plastic waste in Nigeria before it even starts.

And when you’re buying water or soft drinks, you can choose the bottled ones that come in glass when available, or better yet, use a refillable bottle. It may feel small, but if one person does it consistently, and others copy, that’s thousands of plastic items not going to waste every year. The less plastic we use, the less we have to worry about throwing away.

Reuse as much as you can

Sometimes, we treat plastic like it’s disposable, use it once and toss it out. But the truth is, a lot of plastic things can be used over and over again if we just put in a little extra effort. That plastic container from your last takeaway? Wash it and use it to store pepper, soup, or even office supplies. Those bottles we normally throw away? They can be repurposed to store kerosene, zobo, or even used for planting small herbs at home.

Reusing plastic doesn’t require you to be an expert in recycling or DIY crafts. It’s just about seeing plastic as something useful rather than rubbish. In many homes already, people reuse things, yoghurt containers turn into baby food bowls, plastic buckets become water containers. So it’s not new to us, we just need to be more deliberate about it.

Recycle and do it properly

Recycling does sounds like one of those fancy things people do in other countries, right? But realistically, it’s not even as complicated as it seems, even here in Nigeria. Recycling simply means finding a way for used plastic to be collected, cleaned, and turned into something new instead of just letting it end up in gutters, canals, or burning in refuse dumps.

You know those guys who go around collecting plastic bottles? They’re part of the recycling chain. Instead of throwing your plastic away with regular trash, you can separate them, bottles, containers, nylon wraps, and keep them aside. Some communities now have collection points, and in some places, you can even earn small money for it. Look out for recycling bins in schools, estates, or supermarkets. And if you don’t have any in your area, start one with your neighbours or place of worship. It doesn’t need to be perfect,  just consistent.

Recycling isn’t a big-man thing. It’s a smart thing. Every bottle you recycle is one less blocking a drain during the rainy season.

Stop burning plastic

This one is serious, and many people don’t even know how dangerous it is. Burning plastic is a common habit, we want to get rid of waste quickly, so we light it up. But when you burn plastic, it releases toxic smoke that is terrible for your lungs and even worse for children, the elderly, and people with health issues.

And the smoke doesn’t just vanish. It sticks in the air, contributes to climate change, and can settle in our water and food. So yes, burning plastic might seem like an easy fix, but the health cost is too high. Instead, look for safer disposal methods, bag the plastic, store it until collection day, or hand it over to recycling collectors. Some places even have drop-off centres for these things now.

The more we reduce how often we burn plastic, the cleaner our air becomes, and the healthier our communities are, especially in densely packed areas like Ajegunle, Aba, or Mile 2 where open burning is common.

Get your community involved

There’s no denying that trying to tackle plastic waste in Nigeria alone can feel tiring. But when the whole street, estate, church group, or school joins in, it becomes easier,  and even fun.

You don’t need to wait for some big event or government awareness campaign. Start small. Talk to your neighbours. Get kids involved by organising a “Clean-Up Saturday.” If you’re part of a youth group, student union, mosque committee, or even your compound WhatsApp group, this is a great place to start a conversation.

Communities that work together to keep their surroundings clean enjoy better drainage, less sickness, and even a stronger sense of pride. Imagine living in a place where everyone contributes to keeping things tidy,  no more waterlogged streets filled with floating nylons and bottles.

Support businesses that use less plastic

Sometimes controlling plastic waste in Nigeria starts with where we spend our money. If more of us start supporting brands, food vendors, or shops that use less plastic, it pushes others to do the same. For instance, a small bukka that serves food in reusable plates instead of plastic takeaway bowls deserves your support. Or that grocery shop that lets you carry your own bag instead of handing you five extra nylons, show them love.

And if you run a business yourself, this is your chance to lead by example. You can switch to paper bags, reusable containers, or encourage customers to bring their own packaging. It might seem small, but when many people start making these choices, the ripple effect is massive.

Use alternatives to plastic whenever you can

Even though plastic is cheap and everywhere, there are simple alternatives out there that we can use instead, especially for daily things. For example, you can switch from plastic water bottles to refillable water flasks or jugs. Instead of buying sachet water all the time, you can refill at clean water stations or invest in a water filter at home, it saves money in the long run too.

When going to the market, carry your own shopping bag from home. These reusable cloth bags or old rice sacks work perfectly, and they don’t tear like the black nylon. Even using stainless food flasks instead of takeaway packs, or glass jars for storing food, makes a big difference over time.

It’s all about changing habits little by little and there’s absolutely nothing wrong about that. The more we use alternatives, the less demand there’ll be for plastic, and that’s a win for everyone,  including the environment.

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