LAGOS CLARIFIES SINGLE-USE PLASTICS BAN, PURE WATER SACHETS, PET BOTTLES EXEMPTED
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has clarified that its ban on single-use plastics (SUPs), set to take effect on July 1, 2025, will not apply to pure water sachets, PET bottles, or nylon carrier bags thicker than 40 microns.
This clarification was issued on Tuesday in a statement by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, amid what the government described as “deliberate viral misrepresentations” suggesting a blanket ban on all SUPs.
Wahab emphasized that the state’s position remains unchanged. “Our focus remains on styrofoam food packs, all forms of polystyrene (disposable) cups, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and all single-use carrier bags and nylons with a thickness of less than 40 microns,” he stated in the release signed by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina.
To reinforce its commitment, the state government has inaugurated the Plastic Waste Management Fund, a public-private partnership initiative involving the government, producers, and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs). The fund, financed by contributions from producers and major importers, will be jointly managed to address the ongoing plastic pollution crisis in Lagos.
Wahab noted that enforcement of the plastic ban will begin on July 1, 2025, following the expiration of an 18-month moratorium announced in January 2024. “This period has provided stakeholders with ample time to adapt to the new policy framework,” he added.
In a related post on Monday, Wahab stressed the importance of environmental responsibility: “We have given ample time to align with global best practices. What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. We must protect our future and do what is right for the greater good.”
He further pledged strict enforcement, referencing the successful crackdown on styrofoam use. “Just like with the enforcement of the styrofoam ban, we will insist on accountability and responsibility. A cleaner, healthier Lagos is within reach if we all play our part.”
This upcoming enforcement builds on previous actions taken by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI. In September 2024, LAGESC, in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), destroyed N5 million worth of seized styrofoam packs in Epe and other locations.
Meanwhile, at the federal level, the government has also moved against SUPs. In June 2024, the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, announced a ban on single-use plastics across all federal ministries, departments, and agencies. This decision aligns with the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, adopted in 2020, which targets a phased nationwide ban on certain plastics by January 2025.
Salako warned of the escalating dangers of plastic pollution, including clogged drainage systems, marine contamination, increased flooding, and serious public health risks.
Both state and federal authorities maintain that the move towards stricter plastic regulation is a necessary step toward sustainable environmental stewardship and a healthier future for Nigerians.
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