*The Lagos State Government announces plans to ban circulation and use of single-use plastics, such as pet bottles, and sachet water, among others from January 2025, to ensure a sustainable management of plastic waste, healthy and safe environment across the cosmopolitan state

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Against the backdrop of the increasing prevalence of plastic wastes and its negative effect on the environment and consumers鈥� wellbeing, the Lagos State Government (LASG) has disclosed plans to ban circulation of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), such as pet bottles, and sachet water, among others from January 2025 across the state.

Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, announced this development Thursday, October 3, 2024, at a stakeholders鈥� workshop and awareness on the implementation of the ban on usage of Styrofoam and SUPs for packaging in Ikeja, the state capital.

Represented at the forum by Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, Special Adviser to the Commissioner on Environment and Water Resources, explained that the ban set to commence from January 2025, is part of the State Government鈥檚 measures to formulate policy guidelines for plastic utility to further ensure a sustainable management of plastic waste, healthy and safe environment.

It is recalled the Lagos Government, January this year, had banned the use of styrofoam in all government establishments and across the metropolis in general in view of the prevalence of plastic wastes and its negative effect on the environment in recent years.

On menace of plastic wastes and legal framework

The Commissioner explained the policy guideline would also be backed up with appropriate legal framework to be established through an enabling law.

Lagos, he stated, generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste products monthly, with plastics making up over 60 percent.

Wahab further stated: 鈥淧lastics waste materials make up a significant proportion of solid wastes and litter the metropolis.

鈥淚t has become a highly visible part of the waste stream, PET, Styrofoam and nylon for sachet water, popularly called 鈥榩ure water鈥� commonly being used for water and beverages, take away plates and cups, carrier bags, among others.

鈥淭his 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.鈥�

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources effective plastic wastes management is fundamental to delivery of the state government鈥檚 priority transformational agenda as contained in the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) and THEMES鈥� Plus Agenda of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu.

Plastic wastes constitute a resource that can be managed to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits in Lagos, said he.

Wahab equally noted that sustainable plastic waste management would create value from the waste stream and formalise the waste-pickers鈥� sector to improve livelihoods and reduce the pressure on landfill.

The Commissioner stated: 鈥淚t will improve the situation of the State鈥檚 drainage channels and reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment.鈥�

Stakeholders seek phased implementation of SUPs

Reacting to the government proposal, stakeholders in the sector urged the LASG to do phase implementation of the ban rather than outright enforcement.

According to them, this approach is crucial for effective and efficient compliance as well as giving it human face in respect of the current economic hardship in Nigeria.

Mosaku Ololade, Lagos Chairperson, Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), said: 鈥淲e have been engaging Lagos State Government on the way forward and we have been sensitising our members on the planned ban.

鈥淲e want the government to continue to engage us. We are a responsible association. We are ready to work with the government.鈥�

Ololade stated: 鈥淲e have over 2,000 members in Lagos alone with over 10,000 workers. We hereby, implore the government to implement the ban in phases to allow our members ample opportunity for compliance.

鈥淭here are lot of things to be put in place before coming up with total enforcement.鈥�

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