The economic capital of Nigeria, Lagos, announced on January 21, 2024 a ban on single-use plastics and styrofoams in order to reduce the plastic pollution that chokes the region and block drainage systems. Lagos is the city most affected by plastic pollution in the west african nation. The Ban on Styrofoam will redefine the ecological and economic atmosphere of Lagos residents and food business owners who rely on it as a source of livelihood.
Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital has banned the usage of single-used plastics and distribution of styrofoam in order to reduce plastic pollution in the state.The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab made the declaration on January 21, 2024. Lagos generates about 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Some of it is collected and recycled but most of the waste is disposed carelessly, clogging drainage systems, polluting water waves and destroying the environment.
“Over time we have been able to do tons and tons of… Like get rid of this plastics from the gutter, from our water waves, we’ve been able to contribute our own little quota of retrieving this plastics back into the chain of usage which is recycling”
Patrick mbara, Initiator, plastic waste for education – Nigeria
Despite the Lagos state waste management authority (LAWMA) efforts in combating pollution of the environment, the problem persists.Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Has mandated agencies to clamp down activities of Styrofoam distributors in the state. Agencies like the Lagos state Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) have been instructed to halt operations of Styrofoam distributors in the state
“It is important that we all comment on the hazard that plastic solution brings upon all of us.The ban on this single-use plastic is a very welcomed development”
Sulaiman Arigbabu, Environmentalist – Nigeria
Restaurants and food businesses will need to explore other sustainable means of food packaging to avoid the risk of paying fines or the closure of their premises. As a reminder, Several African countries including Rwanda, Tanzania,Kenya Benin,Uganda among others have successfully placed bans on the use of plastic and have adopted sustainable alternatives to reduce pollution and environmental degradation.