The European Union (EU) has supported the federal government in its bid to achieve sustainable waste management in line with the United Nations (UN) international zero-waste agenda.
The EU, in partnership with the federal government, is promoting circularity in the fashion and textile industry.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, stressed the need to reduce waste generated in the textile industry, which globally stands at 92 million tons annually, resulting in environmental and social impacts that disproportionately affect biodiversity and human health, especially vulnerable persons across the country.
He made this known in Abuja during this year’s International Zero Waste Day event, which was held in Nigeria on the 4th of April.
The day, which was established by the UN General Assembly in December 2022 to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns and foster a circular economy, is celebrated every 30th of March annually.
He noted that this year’s theme, “towards zero waste in fashion and textile”, underscored the environmental and social challenges caused by the fashion and textile sectors in their business model, which drives overproduction and overconsumption.
He said: “The use of fossil fuel-based synthetic fibres contributes to microplastic pollution, harming ecosystems and human health. Discarded clothing often leads to open dumping, burning, and severe environmental and social consequences, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.
“This is why the EU continues to work closely with our Nigerian partners to address waste generation problems associated with the linear economy in Nigeria.”
Highlighting the EU’s efforts to promote the circular economy, Mignot explained that currently, the EU and the Ministry of Environment, together with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), co-chair the Nigeria Circular Economy Working Group, which brings together all strategic stakeholders to promote circular economy principles and practices to achieve inclusive green growth.
Some initiatives that the Group has worked on together include the National Policy on Waste Battery Management (2021), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency’s (NESREA) National Environmental Regulation on Plastic Waste Control (2023), as well as the National Circular Economy Roadmap (2024) launched during last year’s International Zero Waste Day celebration.
“Our latest project with UNIDO is to address waste from the renewable energy sector, like solar panels and batteries,” he added.
Highlighting the immense potential and opportunities that the circular economy offers in manufacturing, agriculture, energy, fashion, arts and culture, and others, Amb. Mignot said, “The truth of the matter is about ensuring that products never become waste. That products and materials are kept in circulation through maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, and recycling or composting.
“The gains can be enormous for climate, biodiversity, land, air, and water quality, and equally so for the economy and the people. The waste-to-wealth transition is possible and is already happening.”
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, commended the efforts of the EU, along with NESREA, local Non-Governmental Organisations, and other relevant stakeholders in organising the event.
He noted that the event aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable waste management and the global zero waste agenda, adding that this year’s theme highlights the urgent need to reduce waste and promote circularity and responsible production and consumption.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department of the Ministry, Omotunde Adeola, said, “Nigeria faces significant waste management challenges in the textile sector. The fashion industry is rapidly growing, increasing textile waste. Fashion encourages a take, make, dispose approach, resulting in massive amounts of waste.
“Nigeria has immense potential from fashion and textile to waste-to-art innovations, highlighting Nigeria’s immense potential for advancing a circular economy through off-cycled art, eco-entrepreneurship, and innovative waste solutions.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment remains dedicated to advancing policies and recognising the urgent need to address the challenges of waste management in all sectors.”
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, restated the agency’s commitment to promoting the circular economy.
He said: “Because we are at the forefront of promoting the circular economy, it excites us when we are part and parcel of the configuration of this nature that attempts to promote, and indeed, promotes the circular economy, encouraging our people to begin to accept zero waste.
“We want to thank the European Union for always being there. Moving forward, we believe that there is more space to work on, and we will be glad to continue to explore the various possibilities and opportunities that this place provides for us in terms of our work. We look forward to more collaboration and partnership.”
