Nigeria seeks EU approval to import non-hazardous waste

The European Commission on Monday received requests from Nigeria and 23 other non-members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries seeking inclusion in the list of nations eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union.

Non-hazardous waste, which accounts for 95.6 per cent of solid waste produced in Europe, includes municipal waste such as packaging, clothing, bottles, and plastics, as well as demolition materials like concrete, bricks, stones, and food waste.

In a statement issued, the request was made in line with the new Waste Shipments Regulation, introduced as part of the EU’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.

The regulation aims to establish stricter rules for the shipment of waste, including imports and exports between the EU and non-OECD countries. One key measure is the full ban on the export of plastic waste from the EU by November 2026.