Mixed Plastic aModern Convenience and an Environmental Nuisance

Plastic waste is found in all types and forms (mixed plastic) mostly from packaging material for commercial product, thus resulting in its abundance in municipal solid waste. In the developed and developing countries high quantities of mixed plastic waste are generated but in the developed countries extensive recycling and reuse strategies have been implemented toward minimizing its quantity in waste flow and that which requires final disposal. In the developing countries where the concept of recycling is just coming up or waste collection from generation sources is a major problem, thus recycling is found only informally and carried out by scavengers. In Nigeria the greatest environmental issue is solid waste management and the most difficult fraction to handle is mixed plastic. Due to its high generation since it is the most common packing material used by manufacturer within the country. Polypropylene (PP/5) found in confectionery packets and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE/1) found in soft drinks bottles are the most commonly generated plastic in Nigeria, thus can be found in abundance littering the streets.Its high quantity generated and its non-degradable characteristic make it a serious environmental challenge in Nigeria. This paper looks at mixed plastic waste in Nigeria and its environmental hazard. With the aim of bring into view the issue of plastic waste management and its current nuisance and hazard on the streets of Nigeria.