The Lagos State Government has announced plans to ban circulation of Single Use Plastics, such as pet bottles, sachet water, among others from January 2025 across the state.
In January 2024, the state government banned the use of styrofoam in all government institutions and across the metropolis due to the growing problem of plastic waste and its harmful environmental impact in recent years.
However, stakeholders in the sector have called on the government to implement the ban in phases, rather than enforcing it immediately. They believe this approach would ensure more effective compliance and consider the economic challenges people are facing.
On Thursday, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this announcement during a stakeholders’ workshop on the ban of styrofoam and single-use plastics (SUPs) for packaging in Lagos. The event was held at the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN HOUSE), Ikeja. Wahab, represented by Special Adviser on the Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, stated that the ban, which will begin in January 2025, is part of the government’s effort to create policies for managing plastic waste and ensuring a healthy, sustainable environment.
He added that the policy would be supported by a legal framework established through a new law. Wahab also noted that Lagos currently produces about 13,000 tonnes of waste each month, with plastics making up over 60%.
According to Wahab, “Plastics waste materials make up a significant proportion of solid wastes and litter the metropolis.
It has become a highly visible part of the waste stream, PET, Styrofoam and nylon for sachet water, popularly called “pure water” commonly being used for water and beverages, take away plates and cups, carrier bags, among others.
“This development is posing environmental challenges ranging from Ecosystems degradation, Drainage clogging and flooding, Lagoon and Ocean debris with attendant harm to human resulting in high socio-economic impacts on the State.”
“It has become a highly visible part of the waste stream, PET, Styrofoam and nylon for sachet water, popularly called “pure water” commonly being used for water and beverages, take away plates and cups, carrier bags, among others.
“This development is posing environmental challenges ranging from Ecosystems degradation, Drainage clogging and flooding, Lagoon and Ocean debris with attendant harm to human resulting in high socio-economic impacts on the State.”
Lagos chairperson, Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria, ATWAP, Mosaku Ololade, said, “We have been engaging Lagos State Government on the way forward and we have been sensitizing our members on the planned ban.
“We want the government to continue to engage us. We are a responsible association. We are ready to work with the government.
“We have over 2,000 members in Lagos alone with over 10,000 workers. We heeby, implore the government to implement the ban in phases to allow our members ample opportunity for compliance.
“There are lot of things to be put in place before coming up with total enforcement.”
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