Page 40 - Plastics News February 2022

INTERNATIoNAL NEwS

National Bottle Bill Likely To Be Introduced UNIDO And Japan

In US Partner On Plastic Waste
Initiative In Nigeria

he United Nations Industrial
TDevelopment Organisation
(UNIDO) has partnered with Japan on
an initiative to manage plastic waste in
Nigeria. A $2.8m agreement has been
signed between the Nigerian Federal
Environment Ministry, the Embassy
of Japan in Nigeria and UNIDO.The
three-year project is based on the results
of UNIDO’s 2021 Study on Plastics
Value-Chain in Nigeria. It will aim to
he National bottle bill is likely to be also require minimum recycled content promote circular economy principles
Tintroduced soon by the congress percentages in certain plastic container and practices and strengthen plastic
and if passed, the bill would take effect types. U.S. Rep. Alan Lowenthal and value chains, with a special focus on
Feb. 1, 2023 in the U.S W. est Coast U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, the recycling sector. UNIDO Nigeria
lawmakers plan to introduce a national plan to introduce the legislation by mid- director and representative Jean Bakole
container deposit bill that one advocate March, though supporters are working said: “The project will develop national
says has a better chance of passing than to get a bipartisan introduction. The and state implementation guidelines for
past proposals because of wide “industry bill language is still undergoing revision Nigeria’s National Policy on Plastics
Waste Management, strengthen
engagement.” The bill would cover beer, during bipartisan talks and is subject recycling value-chains in selected
wine, liquor, carbonated soft drinks, to change, according to Maia Corbitt,
coffee drinks, dairy products derived President of Texans for Clean Water
from animal milk, milk alternatives, and former head of the State of Texas
energy and sports drinks, fruit juices, Alliance for Recycling. While the draft bill
kombucha, tea and different types of language was originally taken from the
water, such as flavored, mineral, soda Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, it
and tonic waters. It would not include has been changed to be more moderate
medications, infant formula or meal and “very different,” Corbitt said, due
replacement liquids. The bill also does to input from stakeholders nationwide
not count using containers as fuel, energy as well as bipartisan collaboration. “It’s
production, building materials or landfill good news,” she said. “The big takeaway
cover as “recycling,” nor any form of is that it’s now becoming probable and
chemical recycling. The bill also sets out not just possible and that’s pretty good.” municipalities in Lagos and Federal
minimum post-consumer resin (PCR) If passed, the bill would take effect Feb. Capital Territory, and demonstrate
requirements for new plastic beverage 1, 2023, but Corbitt said that’s subject to technology for circular economy
containers, specifying that the PCR negotiation, and there are other target and resource efficiency practices.”
supplies must be in the U.S. The minimum dates for different provisions of the The project comes after long-term
starts at 25% by 2025, then 50% by 2030, bill. However The National Waste & collaboration between UNIDO and
70% by 2035 and 80% by 2040. The Recycling Association (NWRA) opposes the Nigerian government, who have
draft bill, which was developed in large implementation of national “Bottle worked together on plastic pollution
part by advocacy group Texans for Clean Bill” legislation that places mandatory reduction efforts since 2013 and with
Water, would create a standardized bottle tax deposits on single-use plastic and the Japanese government since 2020.
deposit system for the country. It would aluminum beverage containers.

40 PLASTICS NEWS FEBRUARY 2022