The Lagos State Authorities has begun full enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics, warning that from Tuesday, July 1, 2025, any store, market, or outlet discovered storing, promoting, or distributing Styrofoam packs, plastic straws, light-weight nylon baggage, or disposable cutlery will likely be sealed, with offenders going through sanctions beneath Lagos State environmental legal guidelines.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for the Atmosphere and Water Sources, Tokunbo Wahab, throughout a press briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.
Wahab defined that the ban targets plastic supplies beneath 40 microns, which pose severe environmental threats, particularly by clogging drainage channels and polluting Lagos’ fragile coastal ecosystem.
“We gave a six-month grace interval, which expired on June 30. Many consider we might succumb to strain and delay enforcement. It is not going to occur,” Wahab stated.
He added, “Let me additionally emphasize that any market, retailer, that’s discovered storing or partaking in sale or distribution of the single-use plastic of lower than 40 microns could be sealed up whereas the offenders could be punished in accordance with the environmental legal guidelines of Lagos state.”
In line with him, the federal government took the daring resolution to ban Styrofoam and different dangerous plastics for the security and well-being of Lagos residents and wouldn’t compromise on its environmental accountability.
The commissioner clarified that the ban doesn’t cowl all plastic merchandise, however particularly targets 4 single-use gadgets as a result of their non-biodegradable nature and function in environmental air pollution:
Wahab clarified that producers and distributors nonetheless have the choice of transporting the banned gadgets outdoors Lagos, and dismissed considerations that the coverage would result in job losses.
“It’s a no brainer—no jobs could be misplaced throughout this transition. In truth, extra jobs will likely be created when producers and distributors embrace sustainable alternate options,” he stated.
He added that Lagos aligns with over 70 nations and main cities which have adopted bans or restrictions on single-use plastics since Bangladesh first carried out such a measure in 2002.
The commissioner pressured that Styrofoam and different banned plastics have a major affect on Lagos’ infrastructure, usually clogging drains and forcing the federal government to divert public funds to clear waste, sources that would in any other case assist essential social companies.
To make sure compliance, Wahab stated the federal government has developed covert enforcement methods. He famous that the ban kinds a part of broader efforts to chop down waste era and ease the burden on landfill websites, lots of that are nearing decommissioning.
