The Lagos State Government has announced that starting from January 2025, it will ban the circulation of single-use plastics and sachet water in the State.
This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Thursday in Lagos.
Wahab confirmed the upcoming ban during a stakeholders’ workshop on implementing the ban on Styrofoam and single-use plastics (SUPs) for packaging.
According to the Commissioner, the move is part of the Government’s strategy to introduce policy guidelines for managing plastic waste. He emphasized that the goal is to create a healthier and more sustainable environment in the State.
But reacting to the proposal, stakeholders have urged the Government to consider a phased implementation of the policy, rather than an outright ban. They believe this will ensure better compliance and ease the burden during current economic challenges.
The Chairperson of the Lagos chapter of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), Mosaku Ololade stated the association’s willingness to cooperate with the Government.
She said, “We’ve been engaging with the State Government and educating our members on the planned ban.”
Ololade added that ATWAP has over 2,000 members in Lagos, employing more than 10,000 workers. She, therefore, called on the Government to execute the ban in phases, to give businesses enough time to adapt.
“There are many measures that need to be in place before full enforcement,” the Chairperson emphasized.
Recall that in January 2024, Lagos State banned the use of Styrofoam in government establishments and across the metropolis.
This came as a result of the rising issue of plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment. Following the successful by Lagos, other States across the country joined to ban the use of Styrofoam (take away plates). One of the such State to join Lagos in the ban is Abia State.
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