Experts in the environment and aviation industry have warned that if the level of environmental pollution caused by the use of plastic persists, human lives would be threatened, adding that the aviation industry is major culprit to environment pollution in the world.
They noted that airlines operating in Nigeria that have continued to serve meals to over 12 million passengers annually with disposable plastic plates, bottles and tray, leaving behind millions of plastic trashes, have been called upon to abstain from this act in a bid to reduce Nigeria’s plastic pollution foot print globally.
The experts stressed that the air transport sector consume the highest volume of plastic through packages, drinks, aircraft disposable parts and others, noting that as aircraft manufacturers and airlines yearn for lighter aircraft, plastics would displace metal in airplane manufacturing.
Speaking during the 2018 World Environment Day organised by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) with focus on ‘Beat Plastic Pollution in Aviation Sector,’ Professor Babajide Alo, the keynote speaker said in a bid to address plastic pollutions, airlines should refuse disposable plastics and choose items that are not packaged in plastics.
Alo suggested that airlines could serve meals using refined wood plates, ceramics, and glasses, amongst others in order to reduce Nigeria’s usage of plastic footprints, globally.
He also advised that if plastics must be used, it should be recycled.
“More taxes should be placed on packages made of plastic materials. The taxes realised could be dedicated to plastics clean-up activities and the government should also put a deposit charge on purchased containers and pure water wrappers, as is done with glass bottles.”
Also speaking at the event FAAN managing director, Saleh Dunoma said the airports though do not produce plastic products; however, they provide avenues for installations of plastic products in form of facilities as well as selling of items packed in plastic containers, thereby contributing to plastic waste generation into the immediate and the larger environment.
Dunoma who was represented by the Director of Operations, Salisu Daura, said the evidences of plastic waste in Nigeria cannot be disputed and the aim of the United Nations on this year’s theme is not to pass the bulk, as available statistics are evidences of everyone’s contributions to this challenge.
“Only one sector could not have been responsible for the over 200,000 metric tonnes of plastic wastes that find their way into the water bodies every year in the country. Only one sector could not have been responsible for the ranking of Nigeria as one of the top twenty countries with the worst plastic waste management,” he said.
The managing director explained that large chunks of industrial and consumer products are either made up of plastics materials or packed in plastic container, this ranges from water in plastic bottles, chemicals in plastic containers, plastic keyboards, plastic computer monitors, plastic carriage bags, plastic buckets and others.
“The wastes generated after using products made of plastic materials or packed in plastic containers are not only problems for the earth; they are also bad for our health and ecology. Beyond this, plastics constitute a lot more environmental hazards,” he added.
Commissioner/CEO, Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), Akin Olateru, in his speech said improving the environmental performance of aviation is a challenge the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) takes very seriously.
“In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Organisation developed a range of standards, policies and guidance material for the application of integrated measures to address most environmental protection issues thereby embracing technological improvements, operating procedures, proper organization of air traffic, appropriate airport and land-use planning, and the use of market-based options,” Olateru
He commended the management of FAAN in collaboration with Nigerian Environment Society for the initiative, adding that the initiative if sustained could achieve the desired objectives.
