The Lagos State Government has stated that PET bottles and sachet water will not be subject to the ban on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, which is scheduled to go into effect in January 2025.
In an interview with Tiwa Talks Green Podcast on “Understanding the ban on Single-Use Plastics and Styrofoam (Government Perspective)” published on Monday, Mr. Bankole Michael Omoniyi, Director of Climate Change and Environmental Planning at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, gave this update.
As part of the government’s attempts to lessen environmental pollution, Omoniyi clarified that the ban will target products like straws, plastic cups, plastic spoons, and nylon bags smaller than 40 microns.
“We prohibited plastic straws, nylon bags, and cutlery, and then we prohibited Styrofoam plates and cups,” he stated. We never stated that sachet nylons and PET bottles were prohibited.
These substances, especially Styrofoam, have been found to be significant causes of environmental risks in Lagos.
In her discussion of S.U.P. and Styrofoam’s effects on the environment, Omoniyi used Surulere’s pollution as an illustration of the harm Styrofoam has caused to the city.
According to Omoniyi, “the use of Styrofoam has contributed to climate change and diseases like cholera, clogged drainage channels, and worsened flooding.”
He also highlighted how the state is working to make Lagos greener by talking to manufacturers about extended producer responsibility and encouraging them to use less single-use plastics.
In the plastic value chain, he said, “we have two propositions and the position is that every stakeholder and manufacturer must agree to extended producer responsibility.”
“We can decide to establish collecting centers where all parties involved can gather their waste, combine it, and then have an off-taker before recycling.
“The second option is to establish a plastic management fund, which will allow all parties involved in the value chain to make contributions,” Omoniyi clarified.
This clarification follows the Lagos State Government’s first announcement in January 2024 of plans to outlaw Styrofoam and single-use plastics.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, reportedly affirmed that the prohibition on SUPs and Styrofoam will go into effect in January 2025.
According to the commissioner, the restriction is a component of the state government’s efforts to establish policy standards for plastic utilities in order to further ensure a safe, healthy environment and sustainable management of plastic waste.
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