Extended Producer Responsibility Programme is a must…. DG NESREA

The Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA Dr. Lawrence Anukam says it is mandatory for all industries and production outlets in the country to comply fully with the Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR Programme.

In his remarks, while receiving the team from CocaCola Nigeria and The Nigeria Bottling Company in his office Thursday, Dr. Anukam disclosed that the provisions for regulating and enforcing the EPR programme were already contained in NESREA regulations on the brown environment.

He pointed out that the EPR, which is the idea behind circular economy, is the acceptable practice all over the world to promote recycling and minimize waste from industries, stating that, “the production process comes with some form of waste. The idea of EPR is to reduce these waste, ensure eco-efficiency and promote environmentally friendly products and designs. The old concept of cradle to grave has gone and it is now cradle to cradle.”

Dr. Anukam commended the team for the efforts both companies were making towards entrenching the EPR programme in their organizations. The DG was also happy that the Beverage and Electrical sectors had registered their Producer Responsibility Organisations as a leap towards the full take of EPR programme in both sectors.

He added that it was important to ensure that no industry was left behind in EPR process noting that NESREA, as an Agency was prepared to do all that is needed to ensure the smooth take-off of the programme. “We must protect the environment. We must ensure that we stop any machine, equipment or activity that undermines the environmental quality,” he said.

Commending NESREA for its efforts at promoting sustainable environmental practices, the Managing Director of Nigeria Bottling Company, Georgios Polymenakos said the visit was to support the environmental ideals being propagated by the Agency.

“We are embracing everything you are doing and we are here to work together. We appreciate your efforts in getting the best possible outcome. We are here to know how we can strengthen that partnership.”

Also lending a voice, the Managing Director of CocaCola Nigeria, Bhupendra Suri pledged that both companies will always tow the path of environmental protection and sustainable development. “The goal is to have a world with very minimal waste. Everything should be recycled. We will ensure that whatever we do is sustainable.”