BY July 1, 2025, the Lagos State Government will commence the enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics. The ban is in line with a global trend where many governments are placing restrictions on the use of plastic products, if not outright bans.
Nigeria ranks among the world’s top plastic polluters, generating over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, according to a recent USAID study. Over 70 per cent of this ends up in the seas and landfills.
In June 2024, the Federal Government also announced a ban on single-use plastics in government offices, ahead of a planned nationwide ban. However, much has not been heard about the proposed ban from the Federal Government this year.
Information available indicates that at least 141 countries have banned or restricted some form of plastic products. This includes bans on specific plastic products, including SUPs, thin plastic bags, PVC packaging, and microbeads in cosmetics. In addition, some countries have banned or restricted the use of certain plastic polymers or monomers.
Thus, the step taken by the state government is in the right direction. Other state governments should take a cue from it.
However, the Lagos State Government has clarified that the ban excludes water sachets, PET bottles, and nylon bags thicker than 40 microns.
The ban targets Styrofoam packs, disposable cups, plastic straws, cutlery, and thin single-use bags.
The Lagos Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, describes the decision to ban SUPs as imperative.
He explained, “As a coastal state below sea level with a land mass of just 3,575 square kilometres and housing about 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population, plastic waste poses a serious crisis. We did not arbitrarily wake up to ban Styrofoam in 2024.”
It is believed that about 50 per cent of plastic waste comes from SUPs, a major source of environmental pollution.
Experts say plastic waste takes at least 500 years to decompose. The waste accumulates in landfills, drainage, and water bodies. Plastic waste in oceans is harmful to marine life and affects the ecosystem.
Furthermore, the use of household plastics has been fingered as a major contributor to heart disease and other ailments.
A new study suggests that plastics found in common household products can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in people aged 55 to 64.
Previous research indicated that phthalates used in plastic products are linked to higher risks of reproductive health issues, obesity, and cancer.
Experts say people can reduce exposure to microplastics by avoiding processed foods and plastic utensils.
A study published on April 28 in the journal eBioMedicine reports that “plastics pose a significant risk to increased cardiovascular mortality.”
The researchers focused on the same phthalates, which are used to strengthen the plastic used in an array of products from children’s toys to shampoo, soap, air fresheners, perfume, vinyl flooring, garden hoses, clothing, plastic food wrappings, and containers.
So, the inauguration of the Plastic Waste Management Fund – a public-private collaboration between the state government, producers, and Producer Responsibility Organisations should remain operational.
The fund, which will be financed by contributions from major plastic producers and importers, is aimed at addressing Lagos State’s growing plastic waste problem through coordinated recycling, collection, and education efforts.
However, the state government should extend the ban to more plastic products in the nearest future while continuing to work with the private sector to create more alternatives to the plastic products that could be banned eventually.
Efforts should be intensified to encourage Nigerians to use alternatives such as paper and glassware to avoid the hazards associated with plastic usage.
