Single-use Plastic Ban: Lagos Excludes Exempts Sachet Water, Pet Bottles

Recall that a few days ago, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources in Lagos, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, announced that the state government would enforce the ban on single-use plastics from Sunday, July 1, 2025.

This created confusion as many consumers of sachet water, which is very popular in the metropolis, wondered what alternatives the state government has provided.

Responding to this, Mr Wahab said the position of the government has not changed that only single use plastics consisting of styrofoam food packs and all forms of polystyrene cups (disposal cups) are banned.

“Other items banned in the single use plastics category are plastic straws, plastic cutlery and all single use carrier bags and nylons that have less than 40 micron thickness,” he clarified, adding that as part of moves to demonstrate the state’s seriousness, it has already inaugurated the newly created Plastic Waste Management Fund which is a collaborative effort between the state government, the producers and the Producers Responsibility Organisations (PROs).

He explained that the plastics waste management fund would be financed by contributions from producers and major importers and will be jointly managed to address plastic waste challenges in the state.

Mr Wahab reiterated the determination of the state government to go ahead with the enforcement of the ban on July 1 after the expiration of a moratorium of 18 months which it had given since the announcement of the intention to effect the ban in January 2024.