Flooding: Developer calls for ban on plastic, nylon use

An environmental development expert has advocated enactment of a law proscribing use of nylon bags and plastics for shopping due to the ill effects on the environment

The   co-founder, Emeraldscape Environmental Development,(EMEND) Mrs Adefunke Anoma, who made the call during the launch of ‘shoppers’ reusable bag awareness campaign’ – a campaign against nylon bags and plastics organised by the group in partnership with Seedavest and Green Preserve Initiative, said nylon materials and plastics were responsible for 50 per cent of the flood crises in the country.

She tasked governments, groups and individuals to rise to the occasion to help the environment, humanity and living things.

She further advised the Nigerian government to emulate other countries which had banned the use of single use items like nylon bags and plastics and had placed same with reusable items.

She also advised on use of materials that could easily decay as alternatives to nylon bags and plastics.

The government, she said, can assist by making sure that in the environmental laws, they proscribe the use of nylon bags or the production of so much nylon bags in circulation.

“There could be a law proscribing the supermarkets, stores or shopping malls from using nylon bags.

“The supermarkets, malls can produce reusable shopping bags for their customers and ensure that the customers come back with the bags to shop again. If the government can make such laws, it would assist in this campaign,”

The Commissioner for Environment, Princess Iyabo Fakunle-Okiemeimen, commended EMEND for the initiative, adding that the government would partner the group to achieve sustainable and healthy environment.

Fakunle-Okiemeimen charged shopping malls in the state to embrace the use of reusable bags in the place of nylon bags for good and sustainable environment.