Lagos State Government says it will ban circulation of Single Use Plastics, such as pet bottles and sachet water also known as pure water from January 2025.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced this on Thursday, at a stakeholders’ workshop and awareness on the implementation of the ban on usage of Styrofoam and SUPs for packaging in Lagos.
The state government had earlier banned the use of styrofoam.
Wahab, represented by the Special Adviser on The Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, explained that the ban is part of measures aimed at ensuring a safe and healthy environment and sustainable management of plastic waste.
According to him, Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste products monthly, with plastics making up over 60 per cent.
“Plastics waste materials make up a significant proportion of solid wastes and litter the metropolis.
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“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 said the ban will improve the situation of the State’s drainage channels and reduce plastic pollution.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the sector have urged the state government to carryout phase implementation of the ban rather than outright enforcement for effective and efficient compliance as well as giving it human face in the present economic hardship.
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. There are lot of things to be put in place before coming up with total enforcement.
“We want the government to continue to engage us. We are a responsible association. We are ready to work with the government.”
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