The study was conducted to assess the practices and technologies of disposing packaging wastes generated within and outside food processing firms. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that was administered to 40 randomly selected food processing firms in Oyo and Lagos State of Nigeria. Data were also collected through key formant interview and participant observation. Data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results showed that packaging materials of various types, design and volume were used by the firms studied, most of which get accumulated in the municipality due to eat and throw habit of the users. More than 62% of the firms used polyethylene/plastic packaging materials which have high implication for environmental pollution. A minimal percentage of between 1-5% of the packaging materials used became waste at the end of the production processes. In selecting packaging materials, product attractiveness ranked highest (4.05 ± 0.29) with little consideration for package disposal, biological degradability and environmental consideration. A large number of the food firms (94.6%) manage wastes generated within their premises mostly through burning / bury and are not responsible for waste generated by their products in the municipality.

1. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
JEWM
Environmental policy implications of packaging waste
disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
Oladepo Olalere W,1
Taiwo Kehinde A,2
and Ilori Matthew O1
1
African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation
2
Department of Food Science and Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
The study was conducted to assess the practices and technologies of disposing packaging
wastes generated within and outside food processing firms. Data were collected using a
structured questionnaire that was administered to 40 randomly selected food processing firms
in Oyo and Lagos State of Nigeria. Data were also collected through key formant interview and
participant observation. Data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results showed that packaging materials of various types,
design and volume were used by the firms studied, most of which get accumulated in the
municipality due to eat and throw habit of the users. More than 62% of the firms used
polyethylene/plastic packaging materials which have high implication for environmental
pollution. A minimal percentage of between 1-5% of the packaging materials used became waste
at the end of the production processes. In selecting packaging materials, product attractiveness
ranked highest (4.05 ± 0.29) with little consideration for package disposal, biological
degradability and environmental consideration. A large number of the food firms (94.6%)
manage wastes generated within their premises mostly through burning / bury and are not
responsible for waste generated by their products in the municipality.
Keywords: Food-firms, packaging-waste, disposal, environment, policy.
INTRODUCTION
Available data revealed that the last two decades marked
the emergence, rapid proliferation, growth, and
development of indigenous and foreign food processing
firms in Nigeria with the attendant introduction of various
kinds of packaging materials to meet the consumers
need (Oladepo, 2012). Information revealed that the food
processing firms in the country are so many that they can
be subdivided into 17 categories comprising of over 5000
companies with one type of packaging material or the
other (MAN, 2003).
Before the proliferation of the food processing firms in
Nigeria, traditional packaging materials such as Leaves,
Animal skins, News paper, Cement paper bags, Jute
bags, Bamboo, Cane basket, Pottery etc. exists for
packaging retailed local foods in units for immediate
consumption and for bulk packaging. Even though these
offer very little protection to perishable horticultural
products and are not suitable for efficient handling and
transportation (Aworh and Olorunda, 1981; Salami,
2002).
Corresponding Author. Oladepo Olalere Waheed,
African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, Tel.:
+2348060885174; +2348077655128. E-mail address:
woladep@yahoo.co.uk, woladep@gmail.com
Journal of Environment and Waste Management
Vol. 2(1), pp. 039-046, January, 2015. © www.premierpublishers.org, ISSN: 1936-8798x
Research Article

2. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
Oladepo et al. 039
Today, packaging process has undergone considerable
revolution over the centuries from the simple process to
more sophisticated industrial packaging technology,
serving as an essential link between the food producer
and the consumer (Fobil and Hogar, 2006). Packaging
finds application in all spheres of human endeavours,
notably in food industries and in product transport.
Packaging materials are now in various designs, forms
and sizes. Materials that have traditionally been used in
food packaging include glass, metals (aluminum, foils
and
laminates, tinplate, and tin-free steel), paper and
paperboards, and plastics. Moreover, a wide variety of
plastics have been introduced in both rigid and flexible
forms. Today’s food packages often combine several
materials to exploit each material’s functional or aesthetic
properties (Marsh and Bugusu, 2007).
The principal roles of food packaging are to protect food
products from outside influences and damage, to contain
the food and sustain the lifespan of the products, and to
provide consumers with ingredient and nutritional
information (Coles, 2003; Fobil and Hogar, 2006). The
ultimate aim of food packaging is to increase sales of
particular products against other competitive products,
contain food in a cost-effective way that satisfies industry
requirement and consumer desires, maintain food safety,
minimize environmental impact and thus improve income
for the producer (Salami, 2002).
The development and design of appropriate packaging
has made it possible to offer customers a variety of foods
from which to choose, with complete confidence on its
wholesomeness whether it is seasonal or not (Strass,
1986). Food processing and packaging play a primary
role in keeping the food supply one of the safest in the
world, it is the role of food packaging technology to
balance food protection with other issues like energy and
material costs, heightened social and environmental
consciousness, and strict regulations on pollutants and
the disposal of municipal solid waste.
Packaging materials has come to symbolize the issue of
waste probably due to their short life span or single
usage, non-returnable and non-easily degradable in the
environment by natural biological processes. A physical
observation of municipal solid wastes (MSW) reveals that
large proportions are discarded packaging materials from
the food industries (Oladepo, 2012). The evidence of this
seems in the amount of disposal plastics / polythene
shopping bags, sachet water plastic packs popularly
called pure water, Styrofoam and thin film plastic packs,
plastic drink, metal cans, glass bottles etc. littering the
streets and also the increase number of drainages
blocked by them.
Most countries in sub-Sahara Africa do not have accurate
data on waste stream composition, but individual
management authorities recognise and acknowledge the
growing magnitude and prominence of packaging waste
problems in the region (Fobil and Hogarh, 2006).
European Commission (EC) on the other hand estimates
packaging waste among the community at 50 million
tonnes / year, of which only 18% is, recycled (Hulse,
1993).
The menace of littering and the indiscriminate disposal of
the packaging waste in various undesired site such as
along the streets, gutters, motor parks, school, market
places, homes and venue of social functions poses a lot
of threat to the environment (Odunze et al, 2008; USAID,
2009; Hussaini, 2011). A number of these packaging
wastes, especially those of plastics / polythene origin are
not biodegradable materials and as such are not suitable
as compost for agriculture, thereby creating disposal
problems.
With rising urbanization, industrialisation, changes in food
packaging technologies and variations in types of food
packages, proper waste management of food packaging
waste littering the major streets of Nigerian cities is
important to protect human health and the environment
and to preserve natural resources. This study was
designed to evaluate sustainable management
approaches for packaging waste generated within and
outside the food industrial premises.
METHODOLOGY
The study was carried out using some randomly selected
food processing firms operating under the medium and
large scale enterprises in Lagos and Oyo States of
Southwestern Nigeria. List of the food processing firms
was drawn from the directories of National Association of
Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (NASME),
Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) and
Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers
(AFBTE). Forty food processing firms were selected for
the study namely: Twenty (20) fruit juice and milk
processing firms; Ten (10) meat and poultry processing
firms; and Ten (10) fast food firms. Information on the
type of principal packaging material used, basis for
selecting packaging materials, possible environmental
considerations in selecting packaging materials, practices
and technologies of disposal of packaging material waste
was obtained from the manager or managing director or
Chief Executive Officers of the selected food companies
using self administered structured and unstructured
questionnaire. Key informant interviews and participant
observations were also conducted to complement the
data collected through questionnaire. The data collected
were statistically analysed using SPSS version 16
statistical computer software package.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
As shown in the demographic data presented on Table 1,
the ownership structure of the food processing firms

3. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 040
Table 1. Demographic Data of Respondents
Ownership Structure
Nigerian
Foreign
Nigerian and Foreign
Year of Establishment
1980-1990
1991-2001
2002-2005
Staff Strength
1-50
51-100
> 100
Time of production
Daily
Once weekly
Twice weekly
Total
Frequency
25
1
11
1
15
21
5
19
13
29
3
5
37
Percent
67.6
2.7
29.7
2.7
40.5
56.8
13.5
51.4
35.1
78.4
8.1
13.5
100.0
Valid Percent
67.6
2.7
29.7
2.7
40.5
56.8
13.5
51.4
35.1
78.4
8.1
13.5
100.0
Cumulative Percent
67.6
70.3
100.0
2.7
43.2
100.0
13.5
64.9
100.0
78.4
86.4
100.0
surveyed cut across the indigenous and foreign investors,
but the level of indigenous participation is higher than the
foreign participation. About 67.6% of the food processing
firms surveyed were individually owned by indigenous
investors, 29.7% were partnerships between indigenous
and foreign investors while 2.7% were wholly owned by
foreign investors. The finding is in line with Adeola and
Aworh (2010), who attributed increased number of
indigenous ownership of food processing firms in Nigeria
to increasing consumers demand for fruit juice and other
packaged food products due to the growing urbanisation
of the Nigerian population.
The data also indicated that 56.8% of the food processing
firms were established between 2002 and 2005, 40.5%
were established between 1991 and 2001 while 2.7% of
the firms were established between 1980 and 1990. This
implied that the year 1991 to 2002 marked the period of
emergency, rapid proliferation, growth and development
of food processing firms in Nigeria. This finding is in
agreement with Ogbonnaya (2008) who reported that the
last two decades marked the period of increased demand
for processed food and growth of food processing firms in
Nigeria.
The key informant interviews conducted also revealed
that the Federal Government of Nigeria having realized
consumer demand and huge investment in imports of
consumer pack food products initiated Policy action
banning imports of all fruit juices and other food products
in consumer packs into the country in 2002. As part of
policy-action, the government reduced the tariff on fruit
juices Concentrate / Pre-mix to 5 percent. In addition, the
government of Nigeria also initiated a 40 percent rebate
for exported fruit juice products. These policy actions
were introduced in order to help the local manufacturers
grow in production, processing and packaging (USAID,
2009). As a result of these policy actions, investment in
Nigeria’s consumer packed food products processing
activities increased rapidly in order to meet domestic
demand. A tremendous growth was achieved.
As shown, the food processing firms studied belong to
medium and large-scale firms employing between fifty
and above hundred workers of various categories and
responsibilities. About 51.4% of the firms employed
between fifty one to one hundred workers while 35.1%
employed well above one hundred workers. Workers /
Staff of the food processing firms studied include General
Managers, Production / Operation Managers, Quality
Control Managers, Marketing / Sales Managers,
Accountants, Account Clerk, Sales Agents, Packers /
Baggers, Drivers, Security Guards and Cleaners /
Sanitation Officers.
Days and hours of production varied between the firms
studied, 78.4% of the firms produce on daily basis of
between five and seven days per week, 8.1% produce
once a week, while 13.5% produce twice a week. Daily
products production by most of the firms implied ready
access to raw materials it is also means that volume of
production is high for those producing on daily basis with
implication for waste generation.

4. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
Oladepo et al. 041
Figure 1. Product Classification
As shown in Figure 1, Products manufactured by the food
processing firms studied varied and all having high
tendencies of using one type of packaging material or
other; 54.1% of the firms produced Fruit juice and milk
products, 27.0% produce packaged meat and poultry
products while 18.9% are made up of fast food firms that
produce ready to eat packaged food.
The result (Figure 2) showed that packaging materials of
various types, designs and volume are used for
packaging product manufactured by the firms studied.
Majority (62.0%) of the firms used single- life cycle
polyethylene / plastic products as their principal
packaging materials, 11.0% used Paper and Paperboard,
while 27.0% used Foil and Aluminium Can.
The investigation conducted in the open markets in the
study area also revealed that products manufactured by
the Milk and Fruit juice firms (e.g. Yoghurt and Fruit
drinks of various brands) which are mostly in liquid form
are packed in sachet, aluminium can, paper board (lined
with foil and wrapped with polyethylene materials) and
plastic bottles of various sizes and volumes of 200ml,
210ml, 500ml and 550ml. In the fresh meat marketing,
54.1
27
18.9
0
10
20
30
40
50
Y 60
Fruit juice & Milk Meat & Poultry Fast Food X

5. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 042
Polyethylene/
Plastic, 23,
62%
Paper &
Paper Board,
4, 11%
Foil &
Aluminium
Can, 10, 27%
Figure 2. Type of principal packaging materials used by the firms
Table 2. Basis for Selecting Packaging Materials
Environ.
Consid.
Rank (1 lowest – 5 Highest) Statistics
1 2 3 4 5
Freq % Freq % Freq % Freq % Freq % Mean ± S.E. Std
A 7.0 29.2 - - 6.0 25.0 6.0 25.0 5.0 20.8 1.76a
± 0.309 1.88
B 2.0 10.0 1.0 5.0 8.0 40.0 7.0 35.0 2.0 10.0 1.73a
± 0.292 1.77
C 3.0 8.1 - - 7.0 18.9 2.0 5.4 25.0 67.6 4.11b
± 0.235 1.43
D 3.0 10.7 3.0 10.7 11.0 39.3 8.0 28.6 3.0 10.7 2.41a
± 0.278 1.69
E 5.0 15.6 - - 4.0 12.5 6.0 18.8 17.0 53.1 3.41b
± 0.316 1.92
F 1.0 5.9 5.0 29.4 3.0 17.6 1.0 5.9 7.0 41.2 1.59a
± 0.330 0.20
G - - - - 5.0 18.8 5.0 18.8 20.0 62.5 3.84a
± 0.281 1.71
Means with the same letters are not significantly different at P≤ 0.05.
Key
A = Cheapness / low cost B = Availability C = Product attractiveness D = Durability
E = Non-toxic F = Ease of transportation G = Ease of degradation H = Ease of disposa
meats are cut and packed suitable to consumer needs
and wrapped with paper or polyethylene etc. The
processed and unsold meats were also kept in the
refrigerators available in bulk packs with open ends as
well as in required weights (e.g. 1kg, 2kg, etc.) sealed in
pack of plastic / polyethylene packaging. The Fast Food
Firms packaged their foods in disposable paper and
polyethylene bags, foil wrappers, cardboards, plastic and
Styrofoam containers. All the packaging materials used
are non-returnable thereby contributing to municipal
waste generation. Only the paper and paper board
packaging materials used are biodegradable, others,
such as polyethylene, plastics and aluminium cans does
not disintegrate, and they are seen littering the streets
and if burnt, they cause pollution.
Basis for selecting the packaging materials used by food
processing firms were ranked from 1 (lowest) to 5
(highest) using different criteria. There were significant
differences (P ≤ 0.05) among the mean ratings of these
criteria (Table 2).

6. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
Oladepo et al. 043
Table 3. Company Environmental Consideration in Selecting Packaging Materials
Environ.
Consid.
Rank (1 lowest – 5 Highest) Statistics
1 2 3 4 5
Freq % Freq % Freq % Freq % Freq % Mean ± S.E. Std
A 7.0 29.2 - - 6.0 25.0 6.0 25.0 5.0 20.8 1.76a
± 0.309 1.88
B 2.0 10.0 1.0 5.0 8.0 40.0 7.0 35.0 2.0 10.0 1.73a
± 0.292 1.77
C 3.0 8.1 - - 7.0 18.9 2.0 5.4 25.0 67.6 4.11b
± 0.235 1.43
D 3.0 10.7 3.0 10.7 11.0 39.3 8.0 28.6 3.0 10.7 2.41a
± 0.278 1.69
E 5.0 15.6 - - 4.0 12.5 6.0 18.8 17.0 53.1 3.41b
± 0.316 1.92
F 1.0 5.9 5.0 29.4 3.0 17.6 1.0 5.9 7.0 41.2 1.59a
± 0.330 0.20
G - - - - 5.0 18.8 5.0 18.8 20.0 62.5 3.84a
± 0.281 1.71
Mean with the same letters are not significantly different at P≤ 0.05
Key to Environmental Consideration
A = Litter B = Usage of Raw materials C = Ease and Convenience of disposal
D = Consequences of Careless disposal E = Feasibility of Recycle and Re-use
F = Energy content G = Compliance to Environmental regulations.
Table 4. Percentage of Packaging and Rejected Raw Materials
1 – 5% 6 – 10% 11% and Above
Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %
Packaging Materials 35 94.6 2 5.4 - -
Rejected Raw Materials 10 27.0 20 54.1 7 18.9
Evidence from the data presented showed that product
attractiveness ranked highest (4.05 ± 0.290) among the
criteria used by the respondent companies as basis for
the selection of packaging material requirements for their
products. Other criteria of high value also identified
include non-toxic nature of the packaging materials (3.89
± 0.265), ease of transportation (3.70 ± 0.274) and
durability (3.54 ± 0.297). Low cost (2.57 ± 0.241) ranked
lowest. This result showed that contrary to the general
notion that the choice of packaging materials should be
mostly dictated by the cost and availability of materials,
this is however at variance with what was found in the
study. This finding implied that the food firms surveyed
placed premium on attractiveness, non-toxicity and ease
of transportation as major criteria in the selection of
packaging materials for their products. This result also
showed that the food processing manufacturers show
little concern for disposal in the selection of packaging
materials. From the oral interview, the consumers
preferred high quality in addition to the attractiveness of
the products. These results are in line with the report of
Salami (2002); Odunze et al (2008) who reported that the
packaging should be aesthetically pleasing, having a
functional size and shape while retaining the food in a
convenient form.
Environmental consideration in selecting packaging
material was ranked from 1(lowest) to 5 (highest). Result
showed a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) among the
mean ratings (Table 3). Ease and convenience of
disposal by consumer (4.11 ± 0.235), compliance with
environmental regulations (3.84 ± 0.281) and feasibility of
recycle or reuse (3.41 ± 0.316) were ranked higher as the
firms’ major environmental consideration in selecting
packaging materials when compared to the grand mean
of 2.69 ± 0.126.
From the findings, it was discovered that a minimal
percentage of between 1-5% of the packaging materials

7. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
J. Environ. Waste Manag. 044
Table 5. Information on Disposal of Packaging Waste
Disposal Methods Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Burning 24 64.9 64.9 64.9
Buried 13 35.1 35.1 100.0
Total 37 100.0 100.0
Figure 3. Blockage of waterway by various kinds of packaging wastes in Nigeria
used became waste at the end of the production
processes (Table 4). The source of this packaging waste
was linked to raw materials rejected probably due to
inefficient handling, sorting, purchase or poor storage
condition. In addition, low or minimal percentage of
packaging waste generation however implied efficiency in
production.
The result (Table 5) showed evidence of disposal of
packaging waste materials within the food firms studied.
Open burning (64.9%) and burying (35.1%) were the
major disposal practices employed by the food
processing firms studied. Other waste management
technological approaches such as re-use and recycle
were not yet in use probably because of the minimal
magnitude of the packaging waste generated within the
industrial premises.
There is little or no available evidence of any
responsibility by the food firms studied for the
management of packaging or any other type of wastes
generated outside their industrial firm premises by their
consumers probably due to weak enforcement of the
waste management regulations by the regulatory
agencies concerned. Information gathered also revealed
of non financial budget allocation for sustainable waste
management approaches for wastes generated outside
the food processing firm.
In Nigeria today, packaging wastes of the food firms
seems to be generating at a rate that out-space municipal
capacity to collection and disposal of it in a safe and
environmentally sound manner as it is common see most
of the water courses and gutters blocked by various kinds
of packaging waste materials such as plastics and others
as a result of indiscriminate dumping (Figure 3). The
findings showed that these waste materials get more
accumulated in the municipality as a result of eat and
throw habit commonly practised by Nigerians irrespective
of age, status and education.

8. Environmental policy implications of packaging waste disposal practices in Nigerian food sector
Oladepo et al. 045
Kenya National Production Centre (2006) in a related
study also reported that that residents of most African
cities have become a throw away society and one that
does not value the importance of a clean environment. As
at now, there is no equipment for disposing these
packages, the wastes are treated only by dumping and
burning which have detrimental environmental and health
implications. Accumulation of packaging waste materials
on the water course and gutters also required appropriate
response to prevent pollution, aquatics death, flooding
and other related consequences.
CONCLUSION
Based on the result findings of this study, virtually all the
food processing firms surveyed used packaging materials
of varied types, designs and volume for their processed
products. Many of these food processing firms carried out
daily production due to increased consumer demand of
food products. Hence, the upsurge of the packaging
wastes in the municipality.
More than 62% of these firms used non-biodegradable
polyethylene / plastic packaging materials with high
implication for environmental pollution. There seems to
be little or no technological strategies used by the firms
for the disposal of packaging wastes generated within
and outside the industrial premises. Within the firms,
burning and burying are the major practices employed for
managing packaging waste generated.
Most of the food processing firms surveyed showed little
concern for disposal in the selection of packaging
materials as product attractiveness ranked highest (4.05
± 0.290) among the other criteria.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
As part of efforts of reducing pressure on municipal waste
management, the food processing firms should carefully
select packaging materials that satisfy consumer,
distribution, environmental and disposal needs.
There is also a need to make the individual food-
processing firm responsible for the management of
packaging wastes generated before and after products
sale. Government should promulgate stringent regulatory
measures that would mandate food firms to buy-back
used packaging materials from consumers for re-use or
recycle. This will make the consumers not to dispose the
packaging wastes indiscriminately through eat and throw
habits but rather collect them as a useful source of
additional income.
Government, at all levels in collaboration with private
individuals should invest in the production of
biodegradable packaging materials for general use and
the relevant regulatory agencies should make laws to
encourage the use of these biodegradable packaging
materials. As an incentive, the government can give
rebate to firms who use biodegradable or environmentally
friendly packaging materials and charge 1% fine for use
of poor packaging materials.
Environmental pollution is high from burning and dumping
of waste materials, Federal Government should charge
the firms a fine for polluting the environment. Packaging
firms should be encouraged to promote development of
biodegradable packaging materials.
Food processing firms in collaboration with the regulatory
agencies should strengthen investment in Research and
Development (R&D) to develop and improve waste
management practices and technologies. The food firms
can organise workshops in which they identify common
problem areas and can jointly sponsor a research study
to minimise cost. As done by several governments in the
developed countries, special agencies may be set up to
fund research projects of the food processing firms.
As expected, the Nigerian government should gear up to
protect its environment and set up structures and
programmes to actualize the ideal standards as
obtainable in Europe and other developed countries of
the world. Pollution of water bodies by packaging debris
and the lost of energy and or processed raw materials as
a result of landfilling and burning packaging wastes
instead of being recycled into new products requires
comprehensive waste policy and legislation review.
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Citation: Oladepo OW, Taiwo KA, Ilori MO (2015).
Environmental policy implications of packaging waste
disposal practices in Nigerian food sector. Journal of
Environment and Waste Management 2(1): 039-046.
Copyright: © 2014. Oladepo et al. This is an open-
access article distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original author and source are
cited.