Consumers visiting ShopRite supermarkets throughout Lagos State this January 2025 have observed a major change; the retail chain not offers nylon baggage for groceries.
As an alternative, clients are provided the choice of buying reusable purchasing baggage for N500 every or utilizing purchasing baggage they create from dwelling.
A Lagos shopper, @Bisolaa, highlighted the event on X on January 3, 2025, stating, “ShopRite not presents nylon baggage in your groceries based mostly on Lagos State ban on single-use plastics.”
A remark beneath her put up confirmed the replace, with one other consumer sharing an analogous expertise at a special ShopRite location.
Nairametrics additionally visited ShopRite and confirmed that the reusable purchasing baggage are being offered for N500 every. After we inquired with a consultant, they said it was in compliance with the ban from the Lagos State Authorities.
Different supermarkets in Lagos, like Ebeano and Spar, had been nonetheless offering nylon baggage as of after we checked final week.
This improvement follows the Lagos State Authorities’s October 2024 announcement that it could start full enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics, together with nylon baggage and styrofoam meals containers, beginning January 2025.
Though the ban had been in place, the October directive marked the federal government’s intent to strictly implement the coverage throughout the state.
The Lagos State Authorities has lengthy raised issues concerning the environmental affect of single-use plastics. These supplies, which regularly clog waterways, contribute to air air pollution when burned, pose severe well being dangers, and may take centuries to degrade, additional damaging the ecosystem.
In response, the federal government has prioritized efforts to scale back plastic waste and encourage extra sustainable practices throughout the state.
Whereas some customers commend the transfer as a step towards a cleaner surroundings, others have expressed combined emotions concerning the added value of reusable baggage.
In January 2024, the Lagos State Authorities introduced a ban on single-use plastics and styrofoam, citing issues over their environmental affect, together with clogging drainages, littering roads and markets, and posing well being dangers.
The Lagos State Authorities additionally revealed that it’s working with personal sector organizations to supply alternate options for styrofoam containers and different single-use plastics, whereas supporting analysis into new technological options to deal with plastic waste.
