The Lagos State Government Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) has urged manufacturers to use biodegradable materials for a sustainable environment.
The Chairman, Governing Council of CMC, Retired Justice Yinka Gbajabiamila, gave the advice on Friday on the sideline of the ‘Waste to Wealth’ programme organised by the Centre.
The Waste to Wealth programme was part of activities to commemorate the 2019 International Day of Peace with the theme ”Climate Action for Peace: Clear Blue Skies.
Gbajabiamila said that plastic was not biodegradable, as it took a long process to break it down, hence, causing havoc in the environment.
”The reason why we have the avalent of block of drainages, the reason why we have a lot of urban pollution, water pollution is because we use too much of plastic materials and we are not good at disposing them properly.
”That is why lots of fish swallow plastic, it blocks up their system and they die.
”Paper is biodegradable and it can easily be absorbed and it doesn’t take much power to break into smaller components that would be able to recycle.
”I am using this opportunity to encourage manufacturers and producers of consumable goods to ensure that packaging for their products are biodegradable or can be recycled.
”The causes of flooding in some areas in Lagos State are traceable to the disposal of plastic and nylon products to clog the drainage channels.
”We have to synergise as a people to ensure that waste products are properly disposed,” he said.
Earlier, the Director of CMC, Mrs Omotola Rotimi, said that the Waste to Wealth activity was aimed at giving back to the society.
Rotimi said that this was through picking plastic bottles and selling them to recycling companies, after which the proceed would be used to pay school fees for indigent children.
She encouraged people to pick bottles and make money from them, thereby making the environment free from plastics.
The director said that the 2019 International Day of Peace celebration was another opportunity for people to be in harmony with nature by ensuring environmental management and conservation for the benefit of the society and future generations.
