Starting from January 2025, the Lagos State government said it will commence enforcement of a ban on the circulation of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), including PET bottles, sachet water, and other similar items.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ workshop on the implementation of the Styrofoam and SUP ban, held at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) House in Ikeja, Lagos.
The announcement was sequel to the state’s January 2024 ban on styrofoam use in government establishments and across the metropolis, as part of efforts to combat the growing environmental damage caused by plastic waste.
Wahab, who was represented at the event by the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, explained that the ban is part of the state’s broader strategy to create sustainable waste management practices and promote a healthier, safer environment.
The commissioner further emphasised that the policy would be supported by a legal framework through an enabling law to ensure effective enforcement.
This is as it was reported that Lagos State currently generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste every month, with plastics comprising more than 60% of this waste.
According to Wahab, plastics, particularly PET bottles, Styrofoam, and sachet water bags, are a significant portion of the city’s waste stream.
He said the materials contributed to various environmental issues, such as ecosystem degradation, clogged drainage systems, flooding, and marine pollution, all of which have serious socio-economic consequences.
“Plastic waste has become a highly visible part of our waste stream and is a major challenge for our environment,” Wahab said.
The commissioner added, “The situation is impacting our drainage systems, causing flooding, and contributing to pollution in our lagoons and oceans, which ultimately affects public health and the economy.”
He noted that effective plastic waste management is crucial to achieving the priorities outlined in the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES’ Plus Agenda.
Wahab highlighted that managing plastic waste can generate economic, social, and environmental benefits, such as creating value from waste and formalizing the waste-picking sector to improve livelihoods and reduce pressure on landfills.
A sustainable approach to plastic waste management, Wahab added, would also help reduce plastic pollution in marine environments and improve the city’s drainage systems.
In response, the Chairperson of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), Lagos Chapter, Mosaku Ololade, expressed the association’s commitment to working with the government on the ban.
Ololade emphasised that while the association supports the move, a phased implementation would provide adequate time for businesses to comply.
“We have over 2,000 members in Lagos alone, employing over 10,000 workers,” she said.
She added, “We are a responsible association, and we are ready to collaborate with the government.
“However, we urge the government to implement the ban in phases to allow businesses the necessary time to adjust.”
Ololade further noted that more groundwork needed to be done to ensure that the transition to the ban was smooth and that businesses were fully equipped to comply with the new regulations.
Sahara Reporters
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