The Lagos State government has clarified its upcoming ban on single-use plastics and polystyrene, stressing that PET bottles and water sachets are not included in the restrictions.

Mr. Bankole Michael Omoniyi, Director of Climate Change and Environmental Planning at the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, presented the details of the policy in a podcast interview. “Understanding the ban on single-use plastics and polystyrene foam (government perspective)”

The aim is to mitigate the effects of plastic waste on the environment, particularly in waterways and other ecologically sensitive areas of Lagos, a state with a significant aquatic ecosystem.

“At no time did we say that PET bottles or sachet water were banned,” Omoniyi said.

Omoniyi highlighted the government’s extensive research and development efforts that led to the creation of this ban.

He reassured that Lagos, despite climate change concerns, is well prepared to combat environmental threats and prevent disastrous consequences such as sea level rise that would submerge parts of the city by 2050.

What is prohibited?

The list of prohibited items includes:

• Nylon bags less than 40 microns

• Plastic cutlery (spoons, forks, etc.)

• Plastic straws
• Polystyrene cups and plates

The clarification by the Lagos State government follows media reports which incorrectly claimed that the upcoming ban would include sachet water and PET bottles.

The ban is part of an overall initiative to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic waste in Lagos, which have been exacerbated by improper waste disposal and plastic pollution in water bodies.

However, with sachet water and PET bottles being common in Lagos, it was crucial to differentiate the products affected by the new regulations to avoid any misunderstanding among the public.

What you need to know

The decision to impose the ban follows years of observation of the detrimental impact of plastic waste on Lagos’ environment.

Omoniyi highlighted a past incident in Surulere, where a downpour filled the streets with plastic bottles and waste, symbolizing the urgent need for better waste management practices.

Further research has revealed alarming findings about the infiltration of microplastics into the human body, with traces found in human blood and even fetuses.

Given Lagos’ reliance on aquatic resources and the popularity of seafood, the risks of ingesting microplastics have become a priority for the government.

“We are not only eating fish, but also microplastics,” he warned.

The plastic management policy was developed after extensive consultation with key stakeholders in the plastic value chain.

The government sponsored a bill on the issue at the National Environmental Council, which supported a ban on polystyrene foam and other single-use plastics.

However, there was no consensus on a national implementation date, leaving Lagos to move forward independently.

Omoniyi stressed that the ban was carefully structured to avoid unnecessary job losses or damage to local businesses.

Stakeholder engagements, particularly with businesses, helped define the scope of prohibited items, ensuring clarity around what is classified as single-use plastic (SUP).

He stressed that PET bottles and sachet water were not included in the ban after extensive consultations.

Need for extended producer responsibility

In addition to the ban, the Lagos State Government has introduced measures to ensure responsible management of plastic waste through an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative.

Omoniyi stressed that all stakeholders in the plastic value chain must participate in EPR.

“What we said is that apart from those that have been banned, we have two proposals. The proposition is that everyone, every manufacturer, every player in the plastic value chain must accept extended producer responsibility, which they must do,” he said.

He then explained the two options for waste management: the creation of collection centers where stakeholders can consolidate their waste for recycling or the creation of a plastic waste management fund.

“This is beyond government control and makes it easier for stakeholders themselves to manage waste from production,” Omoniyi added.

---

Follow us for the latest news and market insights.