Lagos State Government has announced the immediate commencement of the enforcement of the ban on Single-Use Plastics
Commissioner for Environmental and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab who made this known during a media conference on commencement of the enforcement of the ban insisted that there is no going back on the July 1, 2025 deadline.
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 18 months 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 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 among others, the state gave another grace of dix months which expired on July 1.
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 majorly because of the safety and wellbeing of residents which the government will never compromise.
According to The Commissioner, Lagos as a coastal state realises the enormous dangers that styrofoam packs cause to drainage channels and ecosystem causing blockades and compelling government to channel funds that should be deployed for provision of other social services to clearing of debris from drains.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
