The Lagos State Government has issued a warning that, starting Tuesday, July 1, 2025, any shop, market, or outlet found storing, selling, or distributing Styrofoam packs, plastic straws, lightweight nylon bags, or disposable cutlery will be sealed.
In a statement, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the ban targets plastic materials below 40 microns, citing their role in clogging drainage systems and polluting the coastal environment.
“We gave a six-month grace period, which expired on June 30. Many believe we would succumb to pressure and delay enforcement. It will not happen,” Wahab stated. He stressed that any market or store involved in storing or distributing the banned single-use plastics would be sealed and offenders prosecuted under Lagos environmental laws. Wahab noted that the ban is meant to safeguard public health and protect the environment from harmful non-biodegradable waste.
The targeted items are: Styrofoam packs, Plastic straws, Lightweight nylon bags, Disposable cups and cutlery. The commissioner clarified that the ban does not extend to all plastic products, only those identified as especially harmful. He also mentioned that producers and distributors are allowed to transport the banned items outside Lagos.
Addressing concerns over job losses, Wahab said no employment would be lost due to the policy. Instead, the shift toward sustainable alternatives is expected to create new job opportunities.
He added that Lagos joins over 70 countries and major cities that have implemented restrictions on single-use plastics since Bangladesh led the way in 2002. Wahab emphasized the cost of managing plastic waste on public infrastructure, noting that clogged drains often force the government to divert funds from essential services to cleanup efforts. He concluded that covert enforcement strategies have already been developed to ensure full compliance.
Source: https://www.channelstv.com/
