Tag: Styrofoam

The Lagos state government has commenced full-scale enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics below 40 microns.

The banned items include styrofoam packs, plastic straws, disposable plastic cups and cutlery, and lightweight nylon bags, all flagged for their environmental and health hazards.

This move has elicited a flurry of reactions.

According to the state government, the move is aimed at tackling environmental degradation and promoting sustainable living, targeting Styrofoam food packs, plastic straws, lightweight nylon bags, disposable cups, and plastic cutlery.

The government also allayed job fears, saying that the initiative would create more jobs for producers and distributors who embraced the safe options.

Checks by The Nation show that Lagos aligns with a growing list of over 70 countries and major cities that have adopted similar bans or restrictions on single-use plastics since Bangladesh became the first to do so in 2002.

Further checks revealed that Nigeria remains one of the world’s top plastic polluters, generating more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, according to a recent USAID report. Over 70 per cent of that waste ends up in landfills and waterways.

Also, the federal government, in June 2024, announced a ban on single-use plastics in all government offices, as part of a phased plan toward a nationwide restriction. However, enforcement at the national level has lagged.

Read Also: Recycling styrofoam for cleaner environment        

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, while responding to a complaint from a user on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, July 4, noted that the move was to protect the future of the state.

He said, “While I empathise with the situation, I can tell you that for 18 months before implementation, we engaged in extensive stakeholder consultations, meeting manufacturers, market unions, and environmental experts.

“We conducted scientific studies showing plastic bags daily clogging Lagos drains, while marine biologists documented plastic toxins in our lagoon fish populations. In those 30 years you mentioned, a sizeable amount of the nylon sold by Mummy ended up in the drainage systems, clogging the drains.        

“Some ended up in landfills, and it doesn’t decompose easily; nylons take about 500 years to decompose, and so unfortunately, every nylon sold within that 30 years is somewhere in our environment, causing damage to our health and living.

“The Ministry of Commerce facilitated partnerships with local producers of reusable bags to ensure affordable access. A phased Producer Responsibility Scheme gave manufacturers transition time to adapt operations.

“When evidence showed persistent non-compliance despite warnings, we instituted the ban with clear grace periods. This was never abrupt – it was Lagos protecting its future after exhausting all collaborative avenues.”

The Lagos state government has restated its readiness to ensure actionable strategies to sustain the ban on styrofoam food containers and single-use plastics (SUPs) in the state.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop on the implementation of the ban on Styrofoam plastics and single-use plastics, said the workshop will fashion out necessary strategies to implement and sustain the ban.

Wahab, represented by the special adviser on the environment, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, noted that Lagos generates over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with a significant percentage being single-use plastics and Styrofoam. He added that these plastics have been scientifically proven to take up to a thousand years before degrading.

The commissioner also recalled a study that proved that microplastics were found in the fetus and human bloodstream.

He added that the resolution to ban the product will not only be beneficial to the present generation but to those yet unborn.

He said the government remains determined to encourage viable options for Styrofoam containers across the metropolis.

“While the implementation of the ban on Styrofoam began on February 12, 2024, upon the expiration of a three weeks moratorium, the state announced a six-month moratorium for SUPs, which was later magnanimously extended till the end of 2024 upon stakeholders’ appeal for more consultation, while the ban on SUPs become effective by January 2025.

Read Also: N5m styrofoam packs destroyed in Lagos

“Lagos has seen firsthand the devastating effects of plastic pollution, as it affects air quality, clogs the waterways, and poses long-term health risks to the citizens. Our resolve to ban it is a critical step towards climate action, sustainable waste management, and improving the overall quality of life in the communities.

“Government recognises that the transition may not be easy, as challenges, such as cost of alternative packaging materials, changes in consumer behaviour, and ensuring compliance across the board is expected. However, the government is ready to implement the roles stipulated in the Lagos State Plastic Policy by providing an enabling environment and supporting research into new technological options,” Wahab said.

He reiterated that the government will continue to provide the necessary policy framework and support, and urged participants to come up with practical, actionable strategies to implement the ban on other single-use plastics and raise public awareness by charting a roadmap that will ensure a smooth transition.

He added: “The future of Lagos – our health, environment, and economy rests on the actions we take today. I therefore urge each of you to embrace the journey towards a plastic-free Lagos with enthusiasm, optimism, and a shared sense of responsibility.”

Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, said plastic waste management is one of the most daunting environmental challenges facing Lagos State with the increasing prevalence and negative effects.

“Thus, the ministry deemed it necessary to engage stakeholders in the plastic ecosystem to chat a way forward. The government is very interested in the progress and well-being of businesses within the sector, and would not take any action to jeopardise the interest of business owners.

“At the same time, it must be clearly noted that the government will not shy away from its responsibility of having a clean and sustainable environment,” he said.

The Oyo State Government has placed a ban on the use of styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related purposes.

The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, made this announcement  on Monday during the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and the inauguration of the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force.  

The Task Force is to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in Oyo State.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Akintunde Ayinde, Ajetunmobi said, “Prevention is better and cheaper than cure; hence the need for people to adhere strictly to food standards to save lives in the state.

Read Also: Enforcement of ban on Styrofoam begins today, says Lagos govt

“The menace of food poisoning, indiscriminate use of chemical products for food production, processing, packaging, and other sharp practices being carried out by food business operators have become great public health concerns in the state.

“The directorate of Food, Water, and Laboratory Services is saddled with the responsibility to regulate food business operations to ensure the presentation of wholesome edibles for public consumption in the state, planned to double her efforts to monitor/inspect food business premises in the state.

“Consequently, the use of Styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related usage in the state is also banned.”

The Lagos government announced the commencement of full enforcement of the ban on Styrofoam food containers, effective tomorrow, Monday, February 19. 

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this declaration during a meeting with market leaders over the weekend.

He said enforcement officers from LAGESC/KAI, Environmental Health Officials and LAWMA Police and the ministry will go after everyone having the styrofoams in their shops, stores or outlets and confiscate the products.

Wahab, who restated that styrofoam had caused enough damage to the health of residents, reminded market leaders that cleaniness is next to Godliness and, as such, they must prioritise a clean environment always.

The commissioner restated  government does not derive pleasure in shutting businesses, but sad some markets where shut because of the filth following the non-challant attitude of the executives.

He added: “I appeal to all our traders to desist from selling on railway tracks and roads. We must also stop littering our market with waste. We must seperate them, bag and patronise PSP operators.”

Special Adviser to the governor on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, reminded the market leaders that they are responsibile for ensuring cleanliness in their markets, and urged them to discourage road side trading. 

He also warned against splinter leadership, saying ‘it’s been observed that some illegal markets now appoint splinter leaders, one for the main market and another for roadside traders. This illegal act must be discouraged as it is against environmental laws’. 

Rotimi-Akodu called on market leaders to ensure there functional public toilets in their markets to curb open defecation.

Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Muyiwa Gbadegeshin said the meeting was necessary to outline the position of government on effective waste management in all markets, in line with the THEMES plus Agenda of the present administration.  

The yaloja General, Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo represented by the Iya-oja, Lagos Island, Mrs. Risikat Lasisi, promised that they will ensure market sanitation continues as a daily task that all market leaders will adopt. 

She said the association is ready to cooperate with the government to adopt all methods proposed to ensure cleanliness in all markets and environs.

The federal government said it intends to ban styrofoam and single-use plastic goods in all ministries, divisions, and agencies (MDAs).

The directive was given by Iziaq Salako, the minister of state for the environment, at a workshop and capacity building for chemicals and waste handlers conducted on Tuesday, January 30, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state.

The minister praised the state government for taking the initiative and outlined some of the steps being taken to advance the circular economy, such as enforcing national chemical management policies, strengthening pertinent policies and institutional framework, and increasing the ability of producers and manufacturers to adopt the idea of cleaner production.

Read Also: Lagos: no going back on Styrofoam ban

The minister took the opportunity to urge government offices and departments to follow the new regulation, stressing the federal government’s commitment to doing away with single-use plastics.

Among the important players that attended the seminar were the state environment minister, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the deputy governor of Ogun state, members of the State Executive Council, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.