Environment Experts Advise FG On Single Use Plastics Ban

The Lagos State government recently banned the use and distribution of styrofoam and single-use plastics in the state. 

The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had  explained that the ban was necessary as most drainage channels in the state were daily clogged due to indiscriminate distribution and use of the plastics.

While there seems to be mixed reactions to the ban, the Federal Government however gave a nod to the ban with the minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, announcing that there are plans to phase out the use of single-use plastics in all ministries, departments and agencies of government.

The Minister of State for Environment stated that his ministry will seek approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to ban the use of plastics in government offices.

He also called on the ministries of environment across the states of the federation to immediately adopt the policy of banning single use plastics in all their offices and operations “as a minimum symbolic demonstration and preparation for the inevitable ban of single use plastics in the country.”

Also, the House of Representative recently urged the Federal Government to ban the production, importation, distribution, and use of styrofoam and single-use plastics in the country.

The  lawmakers however advocated a phased and gradual approach to the ban by providing sufficient time for businesses and industries to transition to alternative eco-friendly materials and practices.

But experts in the sector who spoke with  THE WHISTLER, said (Link 2) that there is urgent need for all states of the federation to take a cue from the Lagos State government and ensure that the use of the plastics are eradicated due to their negative effect not just on the environment but also on human health.

Multiple Effects Of Styrofoam And Single-use Plastics

The founder and Executive Director of Aquaworld Community Development Initiative, Paul Ayomide Eweola, while speaking to the WHISTLER on the negative  effects of these plastics, stated that they contain chemicals that are harmful to human health.

“Research shows that plastics contain chemicals that are harmful to the human body and are also   carcinogenic. They cause cancer.

“Also, they are made up of micro-plastics. These are particles that we cannot see with our eyes. They come together to form the plastics. As we use these plastics, they begin to break down and find their way into our body. When we ingest them, they become contaminants to our body,” he explained.

On its negative effect on the environment,  Eweola  noted that through improper  disposal, the plastics pollute and contaminate the environment. He also explained that when they block the water ways, they cause flooding which leads to loss of lives and the destruction of properties.

“They move. They are not affected by wind or erosion. They always end up in the water. Whenever you drop a plastic, it finds its way into the drainage canal. Nigeria has a weak waste management system. From the land, it flows into the water, and the drainage is connected to the canal, the canal to a river, and the river to a lagoon, the sea or the ocean. That is how it moves. Even if you drop a plastic in a place where there is no water, due to the wind, it begins to move if not trash properly. That is how if leads to water pollution.

“Talking about air pollution, many people out of ignorance, chose to burn these plastics which release carbondioxide (CO2) and Methane because they are hydro-carbons. They release these harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere which also contribute to climate change. Also, when they are abandoned at the dumpsites, they give off a foul smell called methane. This contributes to air pollution,” he explained.

Alternatives To The Use Of Styrofoam And Single-use Plastics 

While speaking on the alternatives to styrofoam and single-use plastics, Eweola stated that there are alternatives which have already been adopted in other countries called ‘eco-friendly materials,’ adding that they include reusable bags, paper packaged products, can packaging, natural fiber, wood, and others.

He noted that many of the alternatives are already being used in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for the government to promote and invest in them so that they can be readily available for use.

Approaches To The Effective Ban Of Harmful Products

Eweola noted that the first approach to the effective ban of plastics is to create awareness and educate the public on the dangers of its use to their  body.

“Many people were complaining how the ban will affect their business but they don’t know the harmful effects of plastics on their body. The government should use not just the traditional media but also the social media to create awareness on this.  If the people are informed, it won’t be a battle between them and the government. Information is key,” he said.

Bright Nwogugu, an environmental consultant and the Executive Director of Social Accountability and Environmental Sustainability Initiative (SAESI), also believes that when the public is shown what the plastics can do to their health, they will definitely abide by the ban.

“If they consider it from that health angle, they won’t need much sermon to discard it because of their own health,” he noted.

Apart from the awareness, Eweola also spoke of the need for the government to enact and enforce robust policies and regulations to support the ban. 

“This will include implementing penalties for non-compliance and establishing monitoring mechanisms to track progress and address challenges effectively,” he said.

He further stated that it is important that the government ensures that the alternatives to plastics are readily available for use. This he said the government can do through collaborations with non-governmental organisations and companies that produce, promote and invest on the alternatives.

“The government should also provide financial incentives for businesses that switch to alternative packaging materials or implement recycling initiatives. It should also offer subsidies for the production or purchase of eco-friendly products.”

He added that for the ban to be effective, the government must invest in capacity building and training programs to empower local communities, businesses, and government agencies to effectively implement and enforce the ban. 

“It should also provide education and technical support on waste management, recycling, and sustainable alternatives,” he said.