The Lagos State Government has announced plans to ban the circulation of single-use plastics (SUPs) like PET bottles and sachet water across the state starting from January 2025. This follows a previous ban on the use of styrofoam in government establishments and across the metropolis in January 2024, aimed at tackling the growing problem of plastic waste and its harmful environmental impact.
During a stakeholders’ workshop held by the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria, Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, emphasized the government’s commitment to enforcing the SUP ban as part of broader efforts to manage plastic waste sustainably. Wahab, represented by the Special Adviser on the Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, noted that the initiative would be supported by policy guidelines and a legal framework to ensure effective implementation.
Stakeholders have called for a phased approach to the ban, rather than immediate enforcement, citing concerns over compliance and the economic challenges facing Lagos residents. They suggested that a gradual rollout of the ban would help mitigate the financial impact while promoting better adherence to the new regulations.
Wahab highlighted the urgency of the issue, revealing that Lagos currently produces around 13,000 tonnes of waste each month, with over 60% of it being plastics. He stressed that plastic waste is a major contributor to the state’s solid waste problem, littering the streets and posing environmental hazards.
“It has become a highly visible part of the waste stream, PET, Styrofoam and nylon for sachet water, popularly called “pure water” commonly being used for water and beverages, take away plates and cups, carrier bags, among others.”
“This 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.”
He stressed that effective plastic waste management is fundamental to delivery of the State government’s priority transformational agenda as laid down in Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) and THEMES’ Plus Agenda of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, because it is a resource that can be managed to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits.
Wahab added that sustainable plastic waste management will create value from the waste stream and formalize the waste-pickers’ sector to improve livelihoods and reduce the pressure on landfill.
“It will improve the situation of the State’s drainage channels and reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment,” the commissioner stated.
Lagos chairperson, Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria, ATWAP, Mosaku Ololade, said, “We have been engaging Lagos State Government on the way forward and we have been sensitizing our members on the planned ban.”
“We want the government to continue to engage us. We are a responsible association. We are ready to work with the government.”
“We 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.”
“There are lot of things to be put in place before coming up with total enforcement.”
