•89% of operators in value chain, recyclers may close shops
•Decries policy duplication, poor stakeholders’ engagement
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Lagos State Government to urgently reconsider its planned implementation of the ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), warning that it could trigger job losses with far-reaching economic, operational and social consequences for manufacturers, traders, recyclers and end users.
The Lagos State Ministry of Environment had announced that the ban would take effect from July 1, 2025, as part of efforts to combat environmental pollution.
But MAN’s Director-General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, regretted that the decision was not informed by credible data and lacked stakeholder engagement, which could worsen unemployment and poverty.
He noted that the decision is out of tune with the reality of the country’s socio-economic situation, bereft of more ingenious, beneficial solutions and riddled with needless, potentially adverse economic and social impacts on citizens.
He said the ministry is yet to publish any study to substantiate its claim that SUPs are associated with adverse health and environmental impacts. On the contrary, Ajayi-Kadir said, plastic is a versatile and highly durable material that supports users across industries.He pointed out that the failure to manage plastic waste, rather, might result in adverse environmental and social impacts.
He said MAN shared the global concern on the challenges created by plastic waste mismanagement but noted that the approach to achieving circularity in the plastic system needed to be contextually relevant and systemic.
Expressing deep regret that the ban is not inclusive, he recalled that the process began with the development of the draft Lagos State Plastic Waste Management Policy (LSPWMP) 2020.
He said it requested that manufacturers mandatorily subscribe to the creation of a Lagos State Plastic Waste Fund, a complete duplication of the Extended Producer Responsibility Programme being concurrently implemented.
“Addressing SUP waste mismanagement through a ban will not bring about a lasting solution; it will only be a replacement of the polluting material,” he said.
Citing how local manufacturers will be adversely affected, he said 100 per cent of manufacturers consulted expressed concern over a ban-induced workforce restructuring.
“Hundreds of jobs will be lost in the industry if this ban were to be implemented. It is noteworthy to mention that there is no form of arrangement for social protection for the employees who will lose their livelihoods as a result of this ban.
“Also, there has been no form of social dialogue on the part of the Government with these workers or the industry on the potential job losses. About 89 per cent of operators in the plastic value chain depend on the trade of SUPs as their main source of income, with no alternative source of livelihood, thus indicating that there will be a potential loss of livelihood on the part of the dealers and their staff.
“Over 75 per cent of end users rely on SUPs since there are no affordable and commercially available alternatives for the trading of food and other items. Dealers, mostly women-led businesses, about 93 per cent, noted the inadequate information on the plan to ban or any form of social protection provided to them to absorb the impact of the ban,” MAN boss. He said recyclers also decried that the policy would lead to a further reduction in the availability of feedstock for their recycling plants.
