Plastic wastes: environmental hazard and instrument for wealth creation in Nigeria

Abstract

Combating the menace of plastic waste pollution has become a global environmental challenge. Plastic pollution is capable of affecting land, waterways and oceans as a large percentage of marine and land creatures have died due to the fact that plastic is non-biodegradable and it causes hazards to soil. It also emits toxic gasses when exposed or heated up. It blocks drainage lines and fill up land space causing floods and erosion thereby causing deterioration of the Nigerian roads. Plastics wastes are also harmful to human health; they may contain harmful acids which may lead to death. Nigeria, which is the biggest oil exporting country in Africa, relies mainly on the proceeds of the oil trade for its GDP and based strategy in growing her economy. However, with the declination of oil prices and increase in plastic wastes, the world is tending towards energy and sustainable development. Therefore, an urgent need for recycling plastic wastes into a solution for wealth creation is fundamental in Nigeria. This paper therefore seeks to identify favorable methods for recycling plastic wastes in Nigeria as a tool for solution to diversification and implementation. Evidence based examples are illustrated in the article with viable solution recommended for implementation.

Utilisation of Plastifying and Fluxing Wastes of Plastics and Eggshell Powder in Manufacture of Eco-Friendly Floor Tiles

“…This PP was selected mainly because of its flexibility, widespread usage, and ease to soften, melt, shaped, or reshaped upon heating. It's able also to take on the shape of the mold upon cooling [4]. The PPW is to serve a plastifying function in the material mix, and binder effects.…”

“…These plastics are generally categorized under natural plastics, semi-synthetic plastics, synthetic plastics, and thermoplastics [3]. Some of the dangers from plastic wastes are endangering aquatic life once thrown in water bodies [4], land pollution as a result of discharging toxic substances into the soil [5], air pollution experienced after burning of plastics which emits particulate emission and solid residue ash [6] among others.…”

Analysis of Elevator Hinge Moment in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Designed for Sae Aerodesign Competition Using CFD Simulation

“…Estima-se que o descarte anual de plástico seja maior que sete milhões de toneladas (KEHINDE et al, 2020). O acúmulo contínuo de resíduos plástico ameaça diversos ecossistemas tornando-se um sério desafio global (DUTTA E CHOUDHURY, 2018).…”

Análise De Estabilidade De Um Aeromodelo Através Do Software Xflr5

“…Atualmente a produção de plástico destaca-se comparada a de outros materiais, uma vez que estes são de baixo custo de produção, e apresentam características físicas que os tornam fortes e leves (GIACOVELLI et al, 2018). Mundialmente a demanda por plásticos aumentou de mais de 320 milhões de toneladas em 2015, para 330 milhões em 2016 (KEHINDE et al, 2020). Considera-se que 50% dos produtos plásticos produzidos são descartáveis, por terem uso único ou tratarem-se de embalagens (DUTTA E CHOUDHURY, 2018).…”