Plastic waste is a mounting disaster, but it surely additionally presents a chance for companies and governments to steer systemic change. Whereas laws, company initiatives, and citizen engagement have made progress, way more is required—significantly in how companies form client conduct, how governments implement environmental insurance policies past rhetoric, and the way public notion is managed via strategic communications.
The evolution of single-use plastics in NigeriaFor many years, Nigeria’s reliance on single-use plastics—sachets, luggage, meals packaging—has grown, pushed by affordability and comfort. Nonetheless, this has come at a value. The nation generates an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste yearly, with solely about 12 per cent recycled. In city facilities like Lagos, plastic waste is a number one contributor to clogged drainage programs, flooding, and environmental degradation.
Regardless of previous authorities efforts to curb indiscriminate plastic use—corresponding to Lagos’ environmental sanitation legal guidelines beneath former Governor Babatunde Fashola—enforcement has been inconsistent. The problem now’s transferring past periodic authorities crackdowns and remoted company initiatives to a coordinated, long-term shift towards accountable plastic use, recycling, and waste administration.
Enterprise management: Past compliance to sustainable impactLeading Nigerian manufacturing and FMCG firms are taking energetic steps to combine recycling and accountable disposal into their operations. Key initiatives embody:
Investing in Recycling Hubs: Firms like Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nestlé, and Guinness have arrange plastic restoration and recycling hubs, creating an ecosystem the place post-consumer waste is collected, processed, and reused.
Participating distribution channels: Retailers and distributors are being inspired (and in some circumstances incentivised) to arrange assortment factors the place prospects can return used packaging for accountable disposal. Some shops now cost as much as ₦100 for plastic luggage—a monetary nudge that reminds customers to both convey their very own luggage or dispose responsibly.
Model-driven client schooling: Organisations like Nigerian Girls in PR have launched citizen advocacy campaigns like #TrashYourTrash to affect particular person waste disposal conduct. This sort of messaging, when amplified by giant manufacturers, can have a ripple impact in shifting cultural habits.For companies, the strategic play is obvious: sustainability is now not a CSR checkbox—it’s a reputational and operational crucial. Past environmental duty, investing in round financial system fashions enhances long-term profitability, strengthens model fairness, and aligns with evolving international ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) requirements.
Strategic communications for enterprise: constructing a sustainability narrativeTo successfully form client conduct and stakeholder engagement, companies should leverage communication methods that transcend compliance studies. Right here’s how:
Inner Engagement: Workers needs to be energetic contributors in sustainability efforts. Firms can combine sustainability coaching, incentivise waste discount, and implement office-wide plastic discount insurance policies.
Stakeholder buy-in: Participating suppliers, buyers, and companions in sustainability commitments—corresponding to lowering extreme packaging or co-investing in recycling options—creates an ecosystem-wide affect.
Public consciousness and schooling: Mass communication campaigns, influencer partnerships, and media collaborations may also help educate customers on sensible steps for accountable plastic use and disposal. Firms should even be clear about their sustainability progress, turning company duty into compelling storytelling that resonates with the general public.
Authorities accountability: Past international agendas to native impactWhile Nigeria has engaged in worldwide local weather and sustainability conversations, the federal government should transcend coverage declarations and international assist incentives. The precedence needs to be native, long-term financial and well being advantages.
Enforcement and incentives: Moderately than reactive bans which are typically poorly enforced, the federal government can present tax incentives for companies investing in recycling infrastructure whereas implementing stricter laws on manufacturing and disposal.
Infrastructure improvement: Increasing waste administration services, establishing extra government-led recycling facilities, and integrating waste pickers right into a formalized financial system can enhance effectivity and create jobs.
Citizen sensitisation and enforcement: Babatunde Fashola’s administration demonstrated that when the federal government takes waste disposal significantly—with clear penalties for violations—residents concentrate. The federal government should put money into constant, participating public schooling on the financial and well being affect of plastic waste.
Well being and productiveness good points: A cleaner surroundings results in decrease public well being prices, fewer illness outbreaks, and elevated employee productiveness because of higher air high quality and extra usable public areas. Governments should body sustainability as an financial benefit, not simply an environmental obligation.
The best way ahead: A collaborative approachNigeria’s plastic waste drawback isn’t simply an environmental problem—it’s an financial and reputational problem for companies and a governance problem for policymakers. By adopting strategic communication frameworks, companies can shift client conduct, governments can improve enforcement, and residents can embrace a cleaner, extra sustainable future.
For C-suite executives, sustainability is now not optionally available—it’s a enterprise technique. For governments, waste administration just isn’t a foreign-aid dialogue—it’s a long-term financial choice. And for residents, change begins with on a regular basis habits.
Now’s the time for decisive motion. The query is: Who will lead the cost?Olorundero is a Strategic Communications Guide for international organisations and executives concentrating on the sub-Saharan African market. She leads the groups at Mosron Communications and Nigerian Girls in PR.
