THE Lagos State Government has announced plans to ban the circulation of single-use plastics, including PET bottles and sachet water, with effect from January next year as part of its ongoing efforts to tackle plastic waste and protect the environment.
This decision follows an earlier ban in January this year, which prohibited the use of Styrofoam in all government establishments and across the metropolis in a bid to curb prevalence of plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who announced this on Thursday, October 3, at a stakeholders’ workshop on implementing the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics for packaging held at the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria’s (MAN) headquarters in Ikeja.
Wahab, who was represented by the Special Adviser on the Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, explained that the ban is part of the state’s broader strategy to manage plastic waste and promote a healthier environment, stressing that the policy would be backed by a legal framework to ensure effective enforcement.
He disclosed that the state generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste each month, with plastics accounting for over 60 per cent, adding: “They are becoming a visible part of the waste stream, including PET bottles, Styrofoam and nylon sachets used for pure water, take-away packaging and carrier bags.
“These pose environmental challenges, such as ecosystem degradation, drainage blockages and marine pollution.”
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for a phased implementation of the ban to ensure smoother compliance.
Lagos State chairperson of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), Mosaku Ololade, expressed the association’s willingness to cooperate, but urged government to adopt a gradual approach.
“We’ve been engaging with the Lagos State Government and sensitising our members about the ban. We are a responsible association with over 2,000 members in Lagos alone, employing over 10,000 workers.
“We ask the government to implement the ban in phases, giving our members time to comply.”
He stressed that there are numerous changes that need to be made before full enforcement can take place, urging the government to continue working with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.
