Lagos State Excludes Sachet Water, PET Bottles From 2025 Plastic Ban
The Lagos State Government has provided clarification on its impending ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, which is scheduled to take effect in January 2025. The Director of Climate Change and Environmental Planning at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Bankole Michael Omoniyi, outlined the specifics of the ban during an interview on the Tiwa Talks Green podcast. Omoniyi clarified that the ban will not extend to sachet water and PET bottles, addressing some public concerns.
Instead, the ban will primarily target items such as nylon bags less than 40 microns, plastic spoons, cups, and straws. These materials, alongside Styrofoam, have been major contributors to environmental pollution, particularly in Lagos, where waste management challenges are prominent. Omoniyi cited examples such as the pollution in Surulere, where Styrofoam has been linked to blocked drainage systems, flooding, and related public health issues such as cholera.
In an effort to combat environmental degradation, the Lagos State Government is also engaging manufacturers in discussions about their role in reducing plastic waste. Omoniyi highlighted two approaches: the introduction of extended producer responsibility (EPR), which requires manufacturers to take responsibility for their products’ end-of-life management, and the potential creation of a plastic management fund to support waste collection and recycling efforts.
These clarifications follow an earlier announcement that single-use plastics and Styrofoam would be banned by January 2024. The updated timeline now extends this deadline to January 2025, as confirmed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab. The initiative is part of a broader plan by the state government to create policy guidelines for sustainable plastic waste management, with the goal of fostering a healthier, safer, and greener Lagos.
