The Lagos State Government has announced plans to ban the circulation of single-use plastics (SUPs), including PET bottles and sachet water, starting in January 2025. This initiative follows the January 2024 ban on styrofoam in government establishments, aimed at addressing the rising concerns over plastic waste and its adverse effects on the environment.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, revealed the upcoming ban during a stakeholders’ workshop held at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) House in Ikeja. He emphasized the need for a phased implementation approach rather than an outright enforcement to ensure effective compliance, especially given the current economic challenges.
Wahab, represented by Special Adviser on the Environment Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, stated that the new policy is part of the government’s strategy to establish guidelines for sustainable plastic waste management, ensuring a healthier environment. He noted that Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste monthly, with plastics constituting over 60% of this waste.
Wahab pointed out the environmental issues posed by plastic waste, such as ecosystem degradation, drainage clogs, and marine debris, which significantly impact socio-economic conditions in the state. He stressed that effective plastic waste management is essential for achieving the goals outlined in the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) and the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Additionally, he highlighted that sustainable plastic waste management could create value from waste, improve livelihoods by formalizing the waste-pickers’ sector, and reduce plastic pollution in marine environments. Mosaku Ololade, chairperson of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), stated that the association has been actively engaging with the government and sensitizing its members about the impending ban.
