The Lagos State Government has clarified that the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, which is set to take effect from January 2025, will not include sachet water and PET bottles.
This update was provided by the Director of Climate Change and Environmental Planning at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Bankole Michael Omoniyi, during an interview with Tiwa Talks Green Podcast on ‘Understanding the ban on Single-Use Plastics and Styrofoam (Government Perspective) posted on Monday.
Omoniyi explained that the ban which is part of the government’s efforts to reduce environmental pollution would focus on items such as nylon bags less than 40 microns, plastic spoons, plastic cups, and straws.
He said, “We banned nylon bags, plastic cutleries, straws and then we also banned Styrofoam cups and plates. At no point did we say that PET bottles and sachet nylons were banned.”
These materials, particularly Styrofoam, have been identified as major contributors to environmental hazards in Lagos.
Speaking on the environmental effects of S.U.P and Styrofoam, Omoniyi cited the pollution in Surulere as an example of the negative impact Styrofoam has had on the city.
“The use of Styrofoam has led to clogged drainage channels, exacerbated flooding, and contributed to climate change and diseases like cholera,” Omoniyi said.
He also emphasised the state’s efforts to promote a greener Lagos by engaging with manufacturers to discuss extended producer responsibilities and encourage alternatives to single-use plastics.
“We have two propositions and the position is that every stakeholder and manufacturer in the plastic value chain must agree to extended producer responsibility,” he stated.
“We can agree to have creation of collection centres whereby every stakeholder can collect their waste, aggregate it and then there will be an off-taker and then we can go to recycling.
“The other one is that we can have a plastic management fund, that will be a fund that everybody involved in the value chain can contribute to,” Omoniyi explained.
This clarification comes after the Lagos State Government initially announced plans to ban single-use plastics and Styrofoam in January 2024.
PUNCH Metro reported that the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that the ban of Styrofoam and SUPs set to begin from January 2025.
The commissioner said the ban is part of measures by the state government to put in place policy guidelines for plastic utility in further ensuring a sustainable management of plastic waste, healthy and safe environment.
