The Lagos State Government recently announced its intention to prohibit the use of single-use plastics and sachet water starting in January 2025. This decision was confirmed during a workshop led by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who emphasized the importance of establishing policy guidelines for plastic use to ensure proper waste management and a healthy environment.
In a previous move, the state government had already banned the use of styrofoam across government facilities and the general metropolis in January 2024 due to the escalating plastic waste issue and its adverse environmental impact.
Stakeholders in the industry have recommended a phased approach to implementing the ban instead of immediate enforcement. They believe that this method would encourage better compliance and consider the economic challenges faced by businesses. Mosaku Ololade, the Lagos chairperson of the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), expressed readiness to collaborate with the government and requested ongoing engagement to facilitate a smoother transition for their over 2,000 members in Lagos and their employees.
Ololade stressed the importance of adequate preparation before full enforcement of the ban to ensure a successful transition for all stakeholders involved.