Lagos Bans Use Of Styrofoams, Other Single Use Plastics

The Lagos State Government has banned the use and distribution of styrofoam and other single use plastics in the state with immediate effect.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the announcement on Sunday, according to a statement by Kunle Adeshina, Director (Public Affairs).

Wahab stated that the decision was taken as a result of menace single use plastics, especially the non-biodegradable styrofoam, was causing on the environment.

He explained that most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by styrofoam through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains by the government.

The Commissioner noted that the larger chunk of littering the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) contends with daily is made up of styrofoams, adding that the government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued degradation of its environment.

Consequently, Wahab has directed LAWMA and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, to immediately commence the implementation of the ban.

The two agencies have been directed to clamp down on all the production companies and distribution outlets for styrofoams in the state to prevent further distribution.

The state is relying on laws and regulations such as the National Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Control) Regulation 2009, the 2017 State Environmental Management and Protection Law, among others to implement the ban.

“Mr Wahab explained that the 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 pursuant to NESREA Act that prohibited and specifically ban single use plastic in the country but has not been enforced,” the statement said.

“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.”

Producers and distributors of styrofoam packs were advised to find alternatives or risk heavy fines, and other penalties including sealing of their premises. This is as consumers were asked to boycott styrofoam packs and single use plastics and adopt reusable food containers and water bottles for their food and drinks.

Producers and distributors could also be made to bear the costs of the daily cleanup of their products from the roads and drainage channels, Wahab warned.

“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”, the Commissioner was quoted as saying.

“The convenience of single use plastic comes at a huge cost to society. We must all make small sacrifices for our collective well-being.”