NESREA Declares: No More Wasteful Products – Producers Must Design for Recycling!

Producers in Nigeria are now required to ensure that their products and packaging are designed with recyclability and reusability in mind, in line with the principles of the Circular Economy. This directive is a core element of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which places responsibility for a product’s environmental impact beyond its point of sale.

According to iReporter Online, the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, emphasized this position during an environmental awareness segment on National Traffic Radio 107.1 FM. The programme, NESREA Half Hour, is produced in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps.

Speaking through NESREA’s Assistant Director for Plastics, Chukwudi Nwabuisiaku, Prof. Barikor stated that the Circular Economy model prioritizes durability and sustainability. Under this system, both products and their packaging must be designed not only to last but also to be recyclable, upgradable, repurposed, or reused once they reach their end-of-life phase.

He explained, “Manufacturers must now consider the complete lifecycle of their products. From production to disposal, producers are expected to take responsibility for the collection, reuse, and transformation of post-consumer waste.”

It was further revealed that all producers are required to register under a relevant Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) specific to their sector. Existing PROs are already operating in industries such as Food and Beverage, Batteries, Electronics, and Tyres, where the programme has gained traction.

To enhance implementation, NESREA is collaborating with a financial technology firm to formalize the downstream waste collection value chain. This initiative is intended to provide proper training, structure, and incentives to waste pickers and collectors, ensuring their full integration into the recycling ecosystem.