ABUJA
– The European Union (EU) has formed an agreement with the Federal Government aimed at reducing the amount of waste produced within the fashion and textile sector.
The policy aligning with the United Nations’ global initiative for achieving zero waste aims to recycle the waste produced within the textile industry.
Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, disclosed this information in Abuja, emphasizing the importance of efficiently managing waste produced by the textile sector.
As stated by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, the waste generated by this sector amounts to a concerning 92 million tons per year.
Mignot points out that textile waste has adverse effects on both the environment and society, with these impacts being particularly harmful to biodiversity and human health, especially among susceptible individuals nationwide.
While observing this year’s International Zero Waste Day, he gave his speech in Abuja.
The United Nations General Assembly designated this particular day in December 2022 with the aim of promoting sustainable consumption and production practices as well as encouraging a circular economy. This observance takes place yearly on March 30th.
He noted that this year’s theme – towards zero waste in fashion and textile – underscored the environmental and social challenges caused by fashion and textile sectors in their business model, which drives overproduction and overconsumption.
The utilization of synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels exacerbates microplastic contamination, which damages ecosystems and poses risks to human well-being. Clothes that are discarded frequently result in improper disposal through dumping and burning, leading to significant environmental and societal repercussions, with disadvantaged groups being particularly impacted.
“This is precisely why the EU keeps collaborating closely with our Nigerian counterparts to tackle waste generation issues linked to the linear economy in Nigeria,” he stated.
Ambassador Mignot highlighted the European Union’s initiatives aimed at advancing the circular economy. He mentioned that presently, the EU along with the Ministry of Environment, alongside UNIDO—the United Nations Industrial Development Organization—are jointly leading the Nigeria Circular Economy Working Group. This group unites key stakeholders to advocate for and implement circular economy strategies, thereby fostering sustainable and equitable economic development.
Several collaborative efforts undertaken by the group encompass the National Policy on Waste Battery Management (2021), the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency’s (NESREA) National Environmental Regulation on Plastic Waste Control (2023), along with the National Circular Economy Roadmap (2024), which was unveiled at last year’s International Zero Waste Day event. He further mentioned, “Our most recent collaboration with UNIDO aims to tackle waste issues within the renewable energy industry, specifically focusing on discarded solar panels and batteries.”
The Director-General and CEO of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to advancing the concept of a circular economy. He mentioned, “As leaders in fostering the circular economy, we are thrilled to be integral parts of initiatives designed to support and actually drive this approach. It encourages us to help our community embrace the idea of eliminating waste altogether.”
We appreciate the continuous support from the European Union. Looking ahead, we see ample room for further development, and we’re eager to delve into the numerous prospects and chances offered here for our endeavors. We anticipate enhanced cooperation and partnership.
The Environment Minister, Balarabe Lawal, praised the contributions of the European Union, alongside NESREA, local non-governmental organizations, and other pertinent stakeholders for their role in organizing the event.
He pointed out that the event syncs with Nigeria’s dedication to sustainable waste management as well as the worldwide zero-waste initiative. He further mentioned that this year’s theme emphasizes the critical necessity of decreasing waste and fostering circular practices along with accountable manufacturing and consumption patterns.
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, resulting in an increase in textile waste. Fashion encourages a take, make, dispose approach, resulting in massive amounts of waste.
Nigeria possesses substantial potential ranging from the realms of fashion and textiles to creative waste-to-art transformations, underscoring the country’s significant capacity to promote a circular economy via upcycled art, sustainable entrepreneurship, and novel waste management solutions.
The Federal Ministry of Environment continues to be committed to implementing policies and acknowledging the critical necessity of tackling waste management issues across various sectors.
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