The Lagos State government has announced plans to ban the circulation of single-use plastics, such as pet bottles and sachet water, among others, from January 2025 across the state.
This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Thursday, at a stakeholders’ workshop and awareness on the implementation of the ban on usage of Styrofoam and SUPs for packaging in Lagos.
Represented by the Special Adviser on The Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, the Commissioner explained that the ban, set to commence in January 2025, is part of measures by the State Government to put in place policy guidelines for plastic utility to further ensure sustainable management of plastic waste, healthy and safe environment.
Wahab added that the policy guideline will also be backed up with appropriate legal framework to be established through an enabling law.
He disclosed that Lagos presently generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste products monthly, with plastics making up over 60 per cent.
According to Wahab, “Plastic waste materials make up a significant proportion of solid wastes and litter the metropolis.
“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.
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“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 would 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.
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.
It would be recalled that the state government had in January 2024 banned the use of styrofoam in all government establishments and across the metropolis in general, following increasing prevalence of plastic waste and its negative effect on the environment in recent years.
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
