The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Preparedness for the Single-Use Plastics Ban in Nigeria has proposed the introduction of a green tax on industries involved in the production of polypropylene — one of the most widely used materials in plastic manufacturing.
According to the committee, the move aims to tackle Nigeria’s growing plastic waste crisis and ensure that manufacturers bear responsibility for the environmental costs of their operations.
Speaking at the committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja, Chairman Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue) said the House will also consider legislation to regulate polypropylene production and promote recycling as part of a broader national strategy to reduce pollution and protect public health.
Ugbor described plastic pollution as a growing menace, warning that the unchecked use of polypropylene-based products has placed enormous pressure on Nigeria’s already strained waste management systems.
“Polypropylene’s environmental impact is substantial and disturbing,” he said. “During production, it releases toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, putting workers and nearby communities at risk. It is responsible for enormous carbon emissions and relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to resource depletion.
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“As waste, polypropylene isn’t biodegradable, it lingers in landfills for up to 500 years, polluting our oceans and harming marine life in the process.”
The lawmaker said the committee will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to design policy frameworks for the proposed green tax and integrate polypropylene recycling into the national waste management system.
“Nigeria cannot afford to continue on this path of environmental neglect,” Ugbor added. “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 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 over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with less than 10 percent being recycled.
Major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt are the worst affected, with clogged drainage systems and waterways littered with plastic waste contributing to frequent flooding and water contamination.
Environmental experts warn that improper disposal of polypropylene and other plastics contaminates soil, groundwater, and food sources, while burning plastic waste releases toxic emissions that worsen air quality and increase respiratory illnesses.
Only a few private firms currently engage in large-scale recycling, while the absence of a coherent national policy continues to hinder sustainable waste management efforts.
With the committee’s proposal, lawmakers hope to stimulate investment in recycling, strengthen enforcement of environmental standards, and align Nigeria’s waste management policies with global climate and sustainability goals.
Ugbor said the committee would also hold public hearings with manufacturers, recyclers, and environmental experts to ensure that any proposed levy or regulation is both effective and fair.
“This is not about taxation,” he emphasized. “It is about responsibility, sustainability, and protecting the future of our environment and our people.”