Lagos bans single-use plastics with ‘immediate effect’

The Lagos Government on Sunday placed a ban on the usage and distribution of styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the state with immediate effect.

This was announced in a statement signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

Wahab said the decision was reached following the menace that single-use plastics, especially the non-biodegradable styrofoams, were causing on the environment across Lagos state.

According to him, most of the drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by styrofoams through their indiscriminate distribution and usage.

Wahab said this has been the case despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with humongous amounts.

He reiterated that the larger chunk of littering across major roads and markets which the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) contends with daily is made up of styrofoams.

The Commissioner added that the State Government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration of its environment, especially as a coastal city.

As a result, Wahab has ordered LAWMA and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to commence the implementation of the ban with immediate effect.

He has also tasked the two agencies to clamp down on all the production companies and distribution outlets for styrofoams across Lagos state to prevent further distribution.

“Lagos State took the present action, relying on several enabling laws and regulations such as the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulation 2009 which was established under the NESREA Act that prohibited and specifically banned single-use plastic in the country but has not been enforced,” he explained.

Other laws, according to Wahab, include the 2017 State Environmental Management and Protection Law which states under section 56(I) (Y), “Prevent, stop or discontinue any activity or omission, which is likely to cause harm or has caused harm to human health or the environment”.

The Commissioner advised producers, distributors, and end-users of these styrofoam packs to take the ban seriously.

He also instructed them to find alternatives or risk heavy fines, and other penalties including the sealing of their premises.

Wahab has further warned them that they could be made to bear the costs of the daily cleanup of their products from Lagos roads and drainage channels which run into tens of millions of naira daily.

“Our state cannot be held hostage to the economic interests of a few wealthy business owners compared to the millions of Lagosians suffering the consequences of indiscriminate dumping of single-use plastics and other types of waste”, he stated.

According to Wahab, the well-known consequences include climate change, flooding, and diseases like cholera.

He has therefore advised consumers and residents to boycott styrofoam packs and single-use plastics.

The commissioner said they can do this while imbibing the practice of using reusable food containers and water bottles for their food and drinks.