On a personal level, I think that enough is not done to reduce the problem of plastic and the recycling of household plastic waste in Nigeria. This is probably because even in the home I see the empty bottles piling up after a normal week or the nylon bags stuffed in one corner of the kitchen, full of plastic waste. Maybe you share the same feeling with me. The simple truth is that it is very easy for these things to accumulate fast, leading to the question. What do you do with them?
They come in different forms and shapes, these plastics in Nigeria. There are the water bottles. The pure water sachets. The food takeaway packs. The plastic shopping bags. All these and more get to find a resting spot in your home at some point in their lifespan. One positive, however, is that little decisions at your home can make a whole lot of a difference in how you handle them. And the good thing is that you don’t need a lot to start something refreshing.
Why Recycling Household Plastic Waste in Nigeria Matters
Plastics are made of chemicals and materials that can survive the rigours of nature for a long time. This is a well-known fact. And for a country like Nigeria that is not particularly known to have strict policies and enforced strategies to curb the negative effects of having these things checked, they eventually end up in the wrong places, causing pollution, disasters and more. Personally, recycling at home is your own little contribution to a better environment and the world at large:
- Reduce the amount of waste you throw out
- Keep your surroundings cleaner
- Support recycling businesses
- Save space and reduce clutter
The small steps and effort matter a lot in the long run.
Household Plastic Waste that is Recyclable
It is not common knowledge to all that some plastics are eligible to be recycled in certain ways while others are not. Having this knowledge helps you sort and arrange yours.
Here’s a simple table to guide you:
| Plastic Type | Common Household Items | Recyclable in Nigeria |
|---|---|---|
| PET | Water and drink bottles | Yes |
| HDPE | Detergent and shampoo containers | Yes |
| LDPE | Shopping bags and pure water sachets | Yes |
| PVC | Some cleaning product bottles | Sometimes |
| PS | Disposable plates, foam cups | Rarely |
| Mixed Plastics | Food wrappers | No |
You don’t need to memorise this table. Just start by separating bottles, sachets, and thicker containers from the rest.
How to Start Recycling Household Plastic Waste at Home
No effort is too small, and no plastic should be ignored; just have a routine that works for you.
Make Yourself a Simple Sorting Spot
You know that spot at that corner in your home that just works the best. A bucket, a basket, or an old paint container works well. Label it with a marker. It is convenient and within reach. That’s all you need.
Rinse Used Plastics
Keeping the insides of used plastic clean keeps your home from smelling bad. You don’t need soap or hot water. Just a swirl of water inside a bottle is enough to keep the odour away.
Flatten What Can be Flattened
Step on plastic used bottles to reduce space inside. This also makes storage easier and keeps bottles from rolling around and scattering all over the place.
Sort the Sachets Separately
Pure water sachets take up space when left unwashed. Rinse them, drain the water, and dry them outside for a short time. They fold neatly once dry.
What to do with Your Plastic Waste
Recycling is now a steadily growing business in the country. You will find out that almost every other week plastic collectors for recycling plants can come around your area looking for your used plastics. Some of them can even offer you cash for your waste.
Common options include:
- Community buy-back centres
- Private recycling companies
- Local aggregation points
- Market women who buy plastics for resale
- NGOs with collection drives
You probably just need to ask around. Many locations now have drop-off points you might not have noticed.
The Benefits of Recycling in Nigeria
One might ask oneself whether it’s worth the effort. The answer becomes clearer once you start.
You gain:
- Extra income from selling bottles and sachets
- A cleaner home
- Better waste control
- Less pressure on your dustbin
- A small but steady sense of contribution
- The world is greener, cleaner, safer, and better because of your little contributed effort.
My neighbour once saved two big sacks of plastic bottles over a few months. When she finally sold them, it wasn’t a lot of money, but the joy that came with it was fulfilling.
Handling Challenges to Recycling Household Plastic Waste
Below are some challenges and how to handle them.
Lack of Recycling Centres Close to You in Nigeria
Someone around you must know a place nearby if you care to ask
Too Much Waste at Once
Used rice bags or cement bags can suffice
Family Members Not Participating
Enlighten them on the task at hand
Lack of Storage Space
Flatten containers and fold sachets. You can store a month’s worth in a relatively small spot.
Practical Tips That Make Recycling Easier
Small habits can turn recycling into something you barely think about.
- Have a plastic collection bag close to your bin
- Rinse containers immediately so they don’t smell
- Collect pure water sachets in sealed bags
- Sell or drop off weekly if you accumulate a lot
- Take note of what fills up the quickest in your home
- Limit unnecessary plastic use if possible
These steps make the whole process smoother. They also help you understand your own consumption patterns.
A Simple Weekly Routine to Follow
Here’s an easy table you can adapt:
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| Monday | Flatten bottles after use |
| Wednesday | Rinse and dry pure water sachets |
| Friday | Sort containers by type |
| Saturday | Drop off or sell the collected plastics |
You can pattern it to match your schedule. The goal is commitment, not perfection.
Start Your Household Plastic Waste Recycling Today
Recycling your household plastic waste in a place like Nigeria starts with a single decision to start from inside your home and be committed to it. Even if the government is not doing enough, your lifestyle and commitment to the course can influence those around you to follow suit. Before you know it, more people are involved in making our world a better and greener place to live in.
