LAGOS: Govt clarifies single-use plastics ban excludes water sachets, PET bottles

This statement came in response to what the government described as “deliberate viral misrepresentations” suggesting the ban would cover all types of SUPs.

The Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that the ban targets specific single-use plastic items such as styrofoam food containers, disposable polystyrene cups, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and single-use carrier bags and nylons with thickness under 40 microns.

To address plastic waste, the Lagos government has established the Plastic Waste Management Fund, a collaborative effort between the government, producers, and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs). The fund, financed by contributions from producers and importers, will support initiatives to tackle plastic pollution across the state.

The enforcement of the ban will begin on July 1, following an 18-month moratorium granted since January 2024 to allow stakeholders sufficient time to adapt.

In a recent message, Commissioner Wahab reinforced the importance of environmental responsibility and adherence to global best practices.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to accountability, pointing to the successful enforcement of a previous styrofoam ban as evidence of progress toward a cleaner, healthier Lagos.

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), known as KAI, has already taken steps toward this goal, including destroying ₦5 million worth of seized styrofoam packs in September 2024, in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

On the federal level, a nationwide ban on certain single-use plastics was announced in June 2024, targeting government ministries and agencies.

The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, cited the environmental and health threats posed by plastic waste, including flooding, clogged drains, marine pollution, and broader ecological harm.