The Lagos State Government has said that its planned ban on Single Use Plastics will not affect water sachets, plastic bottles, or nylon bags that are thicker than 40 microns.
This was made clear on Tuesday by the state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, after many people misunderstood the new law to mean that all types of plastic would be banned.
The full ban will begin on July 1, 2025, after an 18-month grace period that started in January 2024.
Speaking during a meeting with the team from TETRA PAK West Africa Limited in Ikeja, Wahab said the decision to ban certain plastics was necessary for the safety of both the environment and public health.
“The decision to ban Single Use Plastics in Lagos was an existential one. As a coastal state below sea level with a land mass of just 3,575 square kilometers and housing about 10% of Nigeria’s population, plastic waste poses a serious crisis. We did not arbitrarily wake up to ban styrofoam in 2024,” he said.
Wahab explained that only specific plastic items are affected by the ban. These include:
* Styrofoam food packs
* All types of disposable polystyrene cups
* Plastic straws
* Plastic cutlery
* Thin nylon bags (less than 40 microns in thickness)
He stressed that items like water sachets, PET bottles, and thicker nylon bags will not be banned for now.
Wahab’s clarification came after a video circulating online caused confusion among residents.
He also spoke about a new effort to fight plastic pollution in Lagos. The state government, along with private companies and producers, has launched the Plastic Waste Management Fund. This fund will be used to support recycling, collection, and public education on plastic waste.
“This ban is just one of several bold steps toward a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Lagos,” Wahab said.
He added that the state will begin full enforcement of the plastic ban on July 1 and urged residents and businesses to prepare ahead.
