Nigeria’s House of Representatives is moving to hold plastic manufacturers accountable for pollution, with a proposal to impose a green tax on producers of polypropylene. Lawmakers say the measure will support new recycling policies, curb plastic waste, and align the country’s environmental goals with global sustainability standards.
The proposal was unveiled by the House Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for the Ban on Single-Use Plastics, which aims to address Nigeria’s worsening plastic waste crisis and ensure that manufacturers take responsibility for the environmental costs of their production activities.
Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja, Chairman Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) announced that the House would also consider new legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote recycling as part of a national strategy to reduce pollution and protect public health.
Ugbor described plastic pollution as a growing menace, warning that the unchecked spread of polypropylene-based products has placed enormous pressure on Nigeria’s already overstretched waste management systems.
“Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and disturbing,” he said. “During production, it releases toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene, which endanger workers and nearby communities. It is responsible for significant carbon emissions and relies heavily on fossil fuels. As waste, polypropylene is non-biodegradable, persisting in landfills for up to 500 years and polluting our oceans — with severe harm to marine life.”
He added that the committee would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to develop policy frameworks for the proposed green tax and integrate polypropylene recycling into Nigeria’s national waste management programme.
Ugbor emphasized that Nigeria could no longer afford to ignore the mounting environmental and health consequences of plastic pollution.
“Our industries must take responsibility for the ecological footprints they leave behind,” he said. “This committee will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions are not just recommended but implemented.”
Nigeria ranks among the top 20 countries globally contributing to marine plastic pollution. Studies by the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimate that the country generates more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 10 percent recycled.
Major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are the worst affected, as clogged drainage systems and waterways choked with plastic waste continue to cause flooding and water contamination. Environmental experts warn that improper disposal of polypropylene and other plastics contaminates soil, groundwater, and food sources, while the open burning of waste releases toxic emissions that worsen air quality and contribute to respiratory diseases.
Currently, only a handful of private firms engage in large-scale recycling, and the absence of a coherent national policy has continued to undermine efforts toward sustainable waste management.
The proposed green tax and accompanying legislation seek to:
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Encourage investment in recycling and plastic waste reduction technologies.
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Strengthen enforcement of environmental standards and producer responsibility frameworks.
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Align Nigeria’s waste management policies with global climate and sustainability targets.
The committee will hold public hearings with manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any proposed levy or regulation is effective, equitable, and conducive to a circular economy.
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