NESREA clarifies plastic waste regulations, dismisses manufacturers’ concerns

By Folarin Kehinde

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency has clarified the provisions of the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations, 2026, saying the framework is not aimed at shutting down industries, discouraging investment or imposing sudden burdens on manufacturers.

The agency’s clarification followed concerns raised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria over the newly gazetted regulations.

Speaking at a pre-launch media briefing in Abuja on Monday, NESREA Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, represented by Dr. Christopher Beka, said some stakeholders’ concerns stemmed from a misunderstanding of the regulations’ scope, purpose, and implementation.

Barikor said the regulations were developed to reduce plastic pollution, strengthen producer responsibility, improve waste recovery, stimulate recycling markets and promote a circular economy.

He dismissed claims that the regulations impose a blanket ban on all single-use plastics below 80 microns, explaining that the provision relates specifically to certain plastic carrier bags made from plastic film.

“The 80-micron provision in Regulation 26 relates specifically to certain plastic bags made from plastic film. It does not amount to a blanket prohibition on all plastic packaging, nor does it ban all single-use plastic products across the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, agricultural, logistics or manufacturing sectors,” he said.

According to him, the regulations make clear distinctions between plastic carrier bags, plastic packaging, PET containers, recyclable materials and plastic waste management activities.

Barikor also clarified that the regulations would not cause immediate disruption to manufacturing operations, noting that compliance requirements had been designed with phased implementation timelines.

He said the minimum recycled PET content requirement would begin with 25 per cent from January 1, 2028, before increasing to 50 per cent from January 1, 2030.

“This timeline gives manufacturers, recyclers, brand owners and Producer Responsibility Organisations sufficient time to plan investments, upgrade systems, build supply chains and develop local recycled-material capacity,” he added.

On concerns that the regulations could lead to job losses and discourage investment, the NESREA boss argued that the framework would instead create opportunities in collection, sorting, recycling, packaging innovation, logistics and compliance services.

He said the agency recognised the importance of protecting jobs and investments but maintained that unmanaged plastic pollution posed greater risks through flooding, blocked drainage systems, environmental degradation and public health concerns.

Barikor further explained that the regulations were designed to strengthen local recycling capacity by encouraging the use of locally sourced recycled PET from certified food-grade recycling facilities.

He said plastic pollution could not be addressed solely at the point of disposal, stressing that interventions were required across the entire value chain, including product design, production, consumption, collection, recovery and recycling.

The agency also ruled out suspending the regulations, insisting that they were already gazetted and contained phased implementation timelines, transition provisions and stakeholder engagement mechanisms.

“Rather than suspend the Regulations, NESREA proposes structured implementation engagement with MAN, sector groups, Producer Responsibility Organisations, recyclers, packaging producers, brand owners, state governments and other relevant stakeholders,” Barikor said.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and providing implementation guidance to ensure compliance while supporting Nigeria’s transition to a sustainable and circular plastics economy.

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