Lagos State Government Reiterates Exemptions in Forthcoming Single-Use Plastics Ban

As the July 1 enforcement deadline approaches, the Lagos State Government has once again provided clarifications on the scope of its statewide ban on single-use plastics.

In a bid to address misconceptions and deliberate misinformation, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has reiterated that the ban does not encompass all categories of single-use plastics.

Specifically, the government has exempted pet bottles, water sachets, and nylon carrier bags with a thickness of more than 40 microns from the ban.

This clarification comes as a response to viral misrepresentations that suggested the ban would apply to all single-use plastics.

According to Wahab, the government’s position remains unchanged, with only specific items being targeted for prohibition.

These include styrofoam food packs, polystyrene cups, plastic straws, and plastic cutlery, as well as single-use carrier bags and nylons with less than 40 micron thickness.

In a demonstration of its commitment to tackling plastic waste, the Lagos State Government has established the Plastic Waste Management Fund, a collaborative initiative between the state government, producers, and Producers Responsibility Organisations (PROs).

The fund will be financed through contributions from producers and major importers and will be jointly managed to address plastic waste challenges in the state.

With the 18-month moratorium, which was announced in January 2022, set to expire, the government has reaffirmed its determination to enforce the ban on single-use plastics from July 1.

This move is expected to mark a significant step towards mitigating the environmental impact of plastic waste in Lagos State.

As the enforcement deadline draws near, the government’s efforts to educate and inform the public about the ban and its exemptions are likely to intensify.

The establishment of the Plastic Waste Management Fund and the collaborative approach to addressing plastic waste challenges underscore the government’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to this pressing environmental issue.