Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Estimation of plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 4, 784 - 791, 31.12.2025
https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1585102

Abstract

Global utilization of different types of plastics has been increasing over the years due to its many useful properties. However, disposal of plastic waste has been a challenge all over the world and Nigeria is not an exception. As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria is among the highest consumers of plastic products. Plastic waste generation was considered using three different scenarios that considered forecasted gross domestic productions up to 2050. The results indicated that plastic production rate in Nigeria is linear as against plastic consumption rate which is exponential. The result estimates from 2020 to 2050 revealed that plastic consumption in Nigeria doubles every 9 years which was validated using the doubling time equation. However, substantial reduction was achieved if enhanced plastic waste management technologies are adopted. Further reduction is achievable through reuse or recycle and implementation of hierarchical waste management strategies.

Ethical Statement

The manuscript has not been submitted to any other journal for publication consideration.

Supporting Institution

None

References

  • M. Simon, A poison like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted our planet and our bodies. Island Press, 2022.
  • S. Karki, G. Hazarika, D. Yadav, and P. G. Ingole, “Polymeric membranes for industrial applications: Recent progress, challenges and perspectives,” Desalination, p. 117200, 2023.
  • T. Biswal, “Future perspectives of biopolymeric industry,” Physical Sciences Reviews, vol. 9, no. 9, pp. 2965–2988, 2024.
  • N. Singh and R. Demirsöz, “Recycling of traditional plastics: PP, PS, PVC, PET, HDPE, and LDPE, and their blends and composites,” in Nanomaterials in Manufacturing Processes, CRC Press, pp. 235–258, 2022.
  • Y. Liu, Z. Yu, B. Wang, P. Li, J. Zhu, and S. Ma, “Closed-loop chemical recycling of thermosetting polymers and their applications: a review,” Green Chemistry, vol. 24, no. 15, pp. 5691–5708, 2022.
  • NPCS Board of Consultants & and Engineers, Disposable Products Manufacturing Handbook. NIIR PROJECT CONSULTANCY SERVICES, 2014.
  • E. Beckman, “The world’s plastic problem in numbers.” [Online]. Available: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/08/the-world-of-plastics-in-numbers
  • G. Roland, J. R. Jambeck, and K. Lavender Law, “Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made,” Science advances, vol. 3, no. 7, 2017.
  • S. Kaza, Y. Lisa, B.-T. Perinaz, and V. W. Frank, “What a waste 2.0: a global snapshot of solid waste management to 2050,” World Bank Publications, 2018.
  • P. Senthil Kumar, M. Bharathikumar, C. Prabhakaran, and K. Ramakrishnan, “Conversion of waste plastics into low-emissive hydrocarbon fuels through catalytic depolymerization in a new laboratory scale batch reactor,” International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, vol. 8, pp. 167–173, 2017.
  • C. Ohia, A. S. Bakarey, and T. Ahmad, “COVID-19 and Nigeria: putting the realities in context,” International Journal of Infectious Diseases, vol. 95, pp. 279–281, 2020.
  • J. Y. Dung-Gwom, “A new environmental agenda for nigeria: retrospect and prospect,” Power (Energy), vol. 6, pp. 85–87, 2015.
  • S. Olanrewaju, S. Olafioye, and E. Oguntade, “Modelling Nigeria population growth: A trend analysis approach,” International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, vol. 5, no. 4, 2020.
  • O. B. Ezeudu, I. T. Tenebe, and C. O. Ujah, “Status of production, consumption, and end-of-life waste management of plastic and plastic products in Nigeria: Prospects for circular plastics economy,” Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 18, p. 7900, 2024.
  • K. U. Donuma, L. Ma, C. Bu, L. Y. George, M. Gashau, and A. O. Suleiman, “Environmental and human health risks of indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste and sachet water bags in Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria,” Waste Management Bulletin, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 130–139, 2024.
  • P. B. Oladeji, A. B. Oyedare, T. O. Ogunwale, S. O. Oyetola, T. A. Basiru, and O. F. Ogunrinola, “Operations and Patronage of Private Waste Contractors Initiative of Solid Waste Collection in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria,” Industrial and Domestic Waste Management, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 23–41, 2024.
  • A. O. Okeke, U. Mohammed, and S. Garba, “Evaluation of Communication Interventions for Improved Waste Management System in Nigeria,” Evaluation, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 81–95, 2024.
  • J. O. Babayemi, M. B. Ogundiran, R. Weber, and O. Osibajo, “Initial inventory of plastics imports in Nigeria as a basis for more sustainable management policies,” Journal of Health and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 18, p. 180601, 2018.
  • J. O. Babayemi, I. C. Nnorom, O. Osibanjo, and R. Weber, “Ensuring sustainability in plastics use in Africa: consumption, waste generation, and projections,” Environmental Sciences Europe, vol. 31, no. 1–20, pp. 1–20, 2019.
  • P. Tragoonlugkana et al., “The use of human platelet lysate as a coating substance for adipose-derived stem cell expansion,” Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, vol. 29, no. 2, p. 88, 2024.
  • L. Lebreton and A. Andrady, “Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal. Palgrave Communications,” vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–11, 2019.
  • J. R. Jambeck et al., “Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. science,” vol. 347, no. 6223, pp. 768–771, 2015.
  • K. Yeboua, J. Ciliers, and A. Le Roux, “Nigeria in 2050: Major player in the global economy or poverty capital?,” ISS West Africa Report 37, 2022.
  • N. K. Egun and O. J. Evbayiro, “Beat the plastic: an approach to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle waste management in Nigeria. Waste disposal & sustainable energy,” vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 313–320, 2020.
  • I. Citaristi, “United Nations Environment Programme—UNEP. In The Europa Directory of International Organization,” Routledge., pp. 193–199, 2022.
  • M. El-Newehy, “Plastic waste management. King Saud University,” King Saud University, pp. 1–35, 2016.
  • Y. A. Hidayat, S. Kiranamahsa, and M. A. Zamal, “A study of plastic waste management effectiveness in Indonesia industries,” Aims Energy, vol. 7, no. 3, 2019.
  • European Union, “Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and The Committee of the Regions - Taking sustainable use of resources forward - A Thematic Strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste {SEC(2005) 1681} {SEC(2005) 1682},” European Environment Agency, Policy Document, 2005. Accessed: Dec. 02, 2024. [Online]. Available: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52005DC0666
  • R. M. Frazier et al., “Beyond Cotton and Polyester: An Evaluation of Emerging Feedstocks and Conversion Methods for the Future of Fashion Industry,” Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts., 2024.
  • O. Kehinde, O. A. Omotosho, and I. O. Ohijeagbon, “The effect of varying sand and plastic additives on the mechanical properties of cement matrix tiles,” presented at the In Journal of Physics: Conference Series, IOP Publishing, 2019, p. 022077.
  • A. T. K. Oladipupo, “Sustainable Strategies and Policy for Plastic Waste Collection and Management in Germany and Canada: Lessons for Lagos State, Nigeria,” Universitätsbibliothek Kiel, 2021.
There are 31 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Waste Management, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Lukman Animashaun 0000-0001-8301-5889

Adekunle Yekinni This is me 0000-0003-3053-2297

Kabiru Olaiya This is me 0000-0002-9453-3320

Omotayo Ogunyemi This is me 0009-0000-1122-3136

Philip Adewuyi 0000-0002-1666-7577

Early Pub Date November 18, 2025
Publication Date December 31, 2025
Submission Date November 18, 2024
Acceptance Date December 12, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 4

Cite

APA Animashaun, L., Yekinni, A., Olaiya, K., … Ogunyemi, O. (2025). Estimation of plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050. Environmental Research and Technology, 8(4), 784-791. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1585102
AMA Animashaun L, Yekinni A, Olaiya K, Ogunyemi O, Adewuyi P. Estimation of plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050. ERT. December 2025;8(4):784-791. doi:10.35208/ert.1585102
Chicago Animashaun, Lukman, Adekunle Yekinni, Kabiru Olaiya, Omotayo Ogunyemi, and Philip Adewuyi. “Estimation of Plastic Production, Consumption, and Waste Generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050”. Environmental Research and Technology 8, no. 4 (December 2025): 784-91. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1585102.
EndNote Animashaun L, Yekinni A, Olaiya K, Ogunyemi O, Adewuyi P (December 1, 2025) Estimation of plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050. Environmental Research and Technology 8 4 784–791.
IEEE L. Animashaun, A. Yekinni, K. Olaiya, O. Ogunyemi, and P. Adewuyi, “Estimation of plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050”, ERT, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 784–791, 2025, doi: 10.35208/ert.1585102.
ISNAD Animashaun, Lukman et al. “Estimation of Plastic Production, Consumption, and Waste Generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050”. Environmental Research and Technology 8/4 (December2025), 784-791. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1585102.
JAMA Animashaun L, Yekinni A, Olaiya K, Ogunyemi O, Adewuyi P. Estimation of plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050. ERT. 2025;8:784–791.
MLA Animashaun, Lukman et al. “Estimation of Plastic Production, Consumption, and Waste Generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050”. Environmental Research and Technology, vol. 8, no. 4, 2025, pp. 784-91, doi:10.35208/ert.1585102.
Vancouver Animashaun L, Yekinni A, Olaiya K, Ogunyemi O, Adewuyi P. Estimation of plastic production, consumption, and waste generation in Nigeria: 2020 to 2050. ERT. 2025;8(4):784-91.