•House of Representatives
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for the Ban on Single-Use Plastics has proposed the introduction of a green tax on industries involved in the production of polypropylene.
Polypropylene is one of the most widely used materials in plastic manufacturing.
The move is designed to curb Nigeria’s escalating plastic waste crisis by compelling industries to account for the environmental impact of their production processes, reports The PUNCH.
Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja today, Chairman, Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said the House would also consider comprehensive legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote large-scale recycling as part of a national strategy to mitigate pollution and safeguard public health.
Ugbor described plastic pollution as a “Growing menace,” noting that the proliferation of polypropylene-based products has overburdened Nigeria’s fragile waste management systems.
“Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and deeply concerning,” he said.
“Its production emits toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene, endangering workers and nearby communities. It is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions and resource depletion.
“Once discarded, it is non-biodegradable —remaining in landfills for up to 500 years and polluting our oceans, with devastating effects on marine life.”
He disclosed that the committee would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency to design policy frameworks for the proposed green tax and to embed polypropylene recycling into the national waste management strategy.
“Nigeria cannot continue on this path of environmental neglect.
“Our industries must take responsibility for the ecological footprints they leave behind. This committee will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that sustainable, environmentally responsible solutions move beyond policy rhetoric to practical implementation,” Ugbor warned.
Data from the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme estimate that the country generates more than 2.5m tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 10 per cent recycled.
Major urban centres such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are disproportionately affected, as clogged drainage systems and waterways choked with plastic waste contribute to recurrent flooding and water contamination.
Environmental experts warn that improper disposal of polypropylene and other plastics contaminates soil, groundwater, and food sources.
The burning of such waste releases toxic fumes, exacerbating air pollution and respiratory illnesses.
Despite the scale of the challenge, only a few private firms are engaged in large-scale recycling, while the absence of a coherent national policy has hindered progress toward sustainable waste management.
The committee’s proposal aims to catalyse investment in recycling, enhance enforcement of environmental regulations, and align Nigeria’s plastic management framework with international climate and sustainability standards.
The Benue lawmaker added that public hearings will be held with manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any new levy or regulation is equitable and effective.
He stated, “This initiative is not merely about taxation. It is about responsibility, sustainability, and protecting the future of our environment and our people.”
