USAID, Foundation Launches Environmental Conservation Program – Business – The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation, yesterday announced the launch of the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA).

This impactful initiative, also funded by the duo with a joint investment of $4 million, addresses the critical challenge of plastic waste management in Nigeria through innovative recycling solutions.

Plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental problem globally and in Nigeria, with an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually; There is an urgent need for coordinated efforts to mitigate its impact on the environment and human health.

They said the primary objective of the NPSA is to recover about 49,000 tonnes of plastic waste in Nigeria while increasing the collection capacity of over 24 aggregators and 9,500 collectors.

In addition, the program aims to create more than 10,000 green jobs, boost circularity in plastic waste management and promote a cleaner, healthier environment.

Speaking at the launch event, USAID Mission Director Melissa Jones said: “In addition to improving the environment, the collection, sorting, aggregation, processing and production of plastics provides employment. Small and medium-sized enterprises and entry-level and semi-skilled workers will particularly benefit from this new value chain.”

U.S. Consul General Will Stevens noted the U.S. government’s commitment to the new project.

“By promoting recycling as a means to combat plastic pollution, we protect the planet, create jobs, empower youth and other marginalized groups and promote sustainable development. We must persevere in working together, innovating and implementing solutions to tackle this urgent problem.
Together we can build a future where plastics are no longer a threat to our planet, but a valuable resource that is managed and used responsibly for the benefit of future generations,” he said.

Foundation President Saadia Madsbjerg said: “The Coca-Cola Foundation prioritizes helping communities become more sustainable by supporting innovative collection and recycling solutions at a local level. We hope that this new program in Nigeria will serve as a catalyst to increase collection and recycling rates as we collectively work towards a more sustainable society, one community at a time.”

During the keynote speech, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, said: “Our policy and advocacy efforts are creating a paradigm shift on plastic waste. We can no longer view it as a disposable item; rather, it should be viewed as responsible, resource-intensive stewardship. We cannot avoid this responsibility; we must face it head-on, with determination and determination.”