ANEEJ CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION TO TACKLE PLASTIC POLLUTION
Benin City, Edo State. June 4, 2025… The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called for collective action to tackle plastic pollution, while urging governments, corporations, civil society organisations, and individuals alike to critically rethink their relationship with plastic and to take decisive action to address its most harmful forms.
The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor in a statement to mark the 2025 World Environment Day asserted that this year’s World Environment Day, with the theme “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution,” places a renewed and urgent emphasis on public awareness on the need to tackle plastic pollution.
Ugolor noted that this year’s World Environment Day is part of global efforts to raise awareness on the negative impact of plastic pollution which are immediate, visible, and deeply harmful to our health, ecosystems, and collective future. “Plastics have permeated every corner of our planet from the depths of the oceans to the food on our tables and even the very air we breathe. To corroborate this, scientific discoveries in recent years have confirmed the presence of microplastics in human organs, placental tissues, and widely consumed seafood. In Nigeria, studies have detected microplastics in fish from key rivers and lagoons, raising serious food safety and public health concerns.
“Although not a major producer of plastics, Nigeria is among the countries most severely affected by its consequences. The nation generates approximately 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, yet less than 12% is recycled. This low recycling rate exacerbates environmental challenges, where plastic waste clogs drainage systems, leading to severe flooding during the rainy seasons.
“Ridding the planet of plastic pollution is an important contribution to achieving the SDGs, including those on climate action, sustainable production and consumption, protection of seas and oceans and repairing ecosystems and retaining biodiversity. That is why we must take collective action to end plastic pollution,” Ugolor added.
“Unfortunately, global efforts to develop an international legally binding instrument (global treaty) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, coordinated by UNEP have been inconclusive. From the 1stsession of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) held in Uruguay in December 2022 to the 5thsession of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) held in Busan, South Korea in December 2024, no agreement has been reached. We are optimistic that a final agreement will be reached at INC-5.2 scheduled to hold in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5 to 14 August 2025.” Ugolor concluded.
World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world. The Republic of Korea is hosting World Environment Day 2025 with a focus on ending plastic pollution globally.
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