By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Lagos State Government has announced the immediate commencement of the enforcement of the ban on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) (less than 40 microns) across the state from today.
Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environmental and Water Resources made this known during a press conference on the commencement of the enforcement of the ban on Single Use Plastics held at the Ministry’s Conference Room, insisting that there will be no going back on the 1st of July 2025 set date for enforcement.
He stated that the State was very explicit on the ban of certain categories of single-use plastics excluding pure water sachets and PET bottles as explained when the ban on styrofoam food containers was announced in January 2024
He added that if, after an 18-month moratorium, the producers have not been able to embrace alternatives to single-use plastics, it simply means they have no intention of complying with the ban.
Wahab explained that by January 2025, after a series of meetings and representations from concerned stakeholders which included the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Restaurants and Food Services Proprietors Association of Nigeria (RFSPAN) and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) representatives amongst others, the state gave another grace of Six months which expired yesterday.
He said the state government took the bold decision to ban styrofoam food containers and single-use plastics of less than 40 microns, explaining that the decision was mainly because of the safety and well-being of residents, which the government will never compromise.
“Lagos as a coastal state realises the enormous dangers that styrofoam packs & SUPs of less than 40 microns cause our drainage channels and ecosystem, causing blockades and compelling the government to channel funds that should be deployed for the provision of other social services to the clearing of debris from our drains”, he said.
He stated that the ban of single use plastics was first effected in Bangladesh in 2002 as well as in other major cities and as at 1st of August, 2019, such bans have been introduced in over 70 countries of the world with varying degrees of enforcement whilst 33 countries have imposed a charge per bag policy.
According to him, “For avoidance of doubt, the affected items and reasons for the ban include styrofoam packs which were banned due to their harmful environmental impacts. “Plastic straws are prohibited to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability. Disposable plastic cups and cutlery, which were banned to minimise plastic pollution in the environment, and lightweight nylon bags, banned due to their non-reusable and non-biodegradable quality,” he added.
The Commissioner maintained that the Government has not banned the production of all categories of plastics; as such, the producers and distributors of the banned items in Lagos State have the option of selling the banned items outside the state.
He said the Lagos State Government is known to embrace best practices and will not shirk its responsibilities to its residents and has therefore joined the list of countries and states that have banned this category of plastics, for the good of all.
He added that the state does not intend to join issues with any group or association that are only selfishly interested in profiteering, stressing that no jobs will be lost during this transition, while more jobs will indeed be created when the producers decide to embrace the safe options, which will also ensure a sustainable environment.
He emphasised that any market/store that is found storing or engaging in the sale and distribution of single-use plastics (less than 40 microns) will be sealed up, the items confiscated, while the offenders will be punished according to the environmental laws of Lagos State.
“Let me state that the Lagos State Government has put in place different enforcement strategies to effect this ban. However, these strategies will not be disclosed yet,” he added.
In attendance at the briefing were the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji and the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, General Manager of LASPARK, Mrs Adetoun Popoola and the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi.
Others are the KAI Marshal Major Olatubosun Cole, General Manager LASWAMO, Engr Adefemi Afolabi, Managing Director LASAA, Prince Fatiu Akiolu, Executive Director Finance LAWMA, Mr. Kunle Adebiyi, as well as other Directors in the Ministry.
