The Lagos State Government has commenced full enforcement of its ban on specific categories of single-use plastics (SUPs) under 40 microns in thickness, effective Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Announcing the policy at a press briefing in Alausa, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to environmental protection and public health, insisting there would be no reversal or extension of the enforcement date.
“There’s no going back on the July 1, 2025 enforcement deadline,” Wahab declared. He reminded the public that the state had made its intentions clear as far back as January 2024 when it outlawed the use of styrofoam containers.
While clarifying that not all plastic products fall under the ban, Wahab explained that sachet water packs and PET bottles remain exempt. However, he criticized some producers for failing to adopt alternatives despite an 18-month transition window.
“If, after all this time, producers have not embraced safer options, it clearly shows a lack of commitment to environmental sustainability,” he said.
Wahab disclosed that extensive consultations had been held with key stakeholders, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Restaurants and Food Services Proprietors Association of Nigeria (REFSPAN), and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), before the government granted a final six-month grace period which expired on June 30, 2025.
He emphasized that the policy was introduced primarily to safeguard public health and the environment, noting that Lagos, as a coastal city, suffers severe ecological damage and drainage blockage caused by indiscriminate plastic waste.
“We can no longer divert funds meant for education, healthcare, and infrastructure to clear plastics from our drains,” Wahab stressed.
Highlighting global precedents, Wahab noted that Bangladesh pioneered the ban on single-use plastics in 2002, with over 70 countries implementing similar measures as of 2019.
The banned items in Lagos now include:
Styrofoam packs, due to their non-biodegradable nature and harmful environmental effects
Plastic straws, to curb waste
Disposable cups and cutlery, to reduce plastic pollution
Lightweight nylon bags, which are typically non-reusable and clog drainage systems
While the production of these items is not outrightly prohibited, Wahab explained that they must not be sold or distributed within Lagos State, though manufacturers may still export them to other regions.
Rejecting profit-driven resistance to the policy, Wahab stated, “The government will not engage any group prioritizing profit over public safety.”
On employment concerns, he reassured that no jobs would be lost. Rather, new opportunities would emerge as industries pivot to sustainable alternatives.
He also warned of strict penalties for violators under existing environmental regulations. “Any market, shop, or facility found in possession of these banned items will be sealed, the items confiscated, and the offenders prosecuted,” Wahab said.
The commissioner hinted that comprehensive enforcement strategies had been developed, though specific tactics remain undisclosed.
