The Nigerian Conservation Foundation has urged Lagos residents to pressure manufacturers to change their packaging materials to reduce the use of single-use plastics less than 40 microns in the state.

The chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, Bukunola Adebiyi, said this after the 19th Annual 7km Walk For Nature on Saturday in Lagos.

The walk was in collaboration with the Lagos government, the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, and Chevron Nigeria Ltd.

Ms Adebiyi urged everyone to play a part in the fight against plastic pollution, adding that Lagosians should support recycling initiatives.

“First of all, opt for reusable bags and bottles. Separate your waste so that you can put your plastics aside. Support recycling initiatives. Buy items in bulk so that you don’t have so many small plastic containers to dispose of.

”Use friendly packaging, and in this new age of social media, put pressure on manufacturers to change what they use to sell products to us. Tag them on social media. Speak up. Be advocates for the environment. Let’s work together to build a Lagos where plastic pollution is a thing of the past,” she said.

Ms Adebiyi added that Lagos must lead the way in tackling the menace of plastic waste. She also tasked the YABATECH students to join hands in fighting the menace of plastic pollution. She described plastic as the most common form of pollution in Lagos State.

“The plastic that escapes into the sea, into our kitchen, and in turn, consumes this kitchen, comes back into our system. The result is a future cycle that harms our health, causes tissue damage, inflammation, and increases the risk of cancer and other diseases,” she said.

While giving credit to Yabatech, she added that the collaboration was a testament to what could happen when learned institutions become active participants in the journey towards a cleaner and healthier Lagos.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his address, said, “The theme for this year’s edition is both urgent and inspiring. It speaks directly to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, the unchecked use and improper disposal of plastic waste.

“Across the world, plastic pollution has become a silent crisis. It clogs our drains, pollutes our waterways, threatens marine life, and undermines our collective quest for a sustainable future.

“As a coastal megacity, Lagos must remain at the forefront of efforts to reverse this trend and set an example for others to follow. Nigeria generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and Lagos alone accounts for approximately 870,000 tonnes, of which less than 12 per cent is recycled.” 

(NAN)