As the July 1 enforcement date draws near, the Lagos State Government has clarified that its ban on Single Use Plastics (SUPs) does not include pure water sachets, PET bottles, or nylon bags thicker than 40 microns.
EpeInsights reports that the clarification was made on Tuesday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in response to misinformation circulating online that suggested all plastic items were affected by the ban.
According to Wahab, the ban only covers specific categories of single use plastics. These include styrofoam food packs, polystyrene cups, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and single use carrier bags made from materials less than 40 microns in thickness.
He emphasized that the position of the state government has not changed and that the clarification is necessary to address false claims and prevent confusion among residents and businesses.
In addition to announcing the scope of the ban, Wahab also shared details about the newly established Plastic Waste Management Fund.
This initiative is a joint effort between the Lagos State Government, producers, and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), aimed at addressing the broader challenge of plastic waste in the state.
The fund will be financed by contributions from producers and major importers of plastic products and will be jointly managed to implement sustainable waste management practices.
Wahab reiterated that the government is fully committed to enforcing the ban starting July 1, following the expiration of the 18-month moratorium that began in January 2024. The moratorium was intended to give stakeholders enough time to prepare for the transition away from banned materials.
With this clarification, the government is urging residents and businesses to take note of the specific items being banned and ensure compliance to support environmental sustainability efforts across the state.
