The Lagos State Government has clarified that its ban on Single Use Plastics SUPs does not include pet bottles, water sachets and nylon carrier bags of more than 40 micron thickness.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab made the clarification on Tuesday while reacting to deliberate viral misrepresentations by some people that the ban involves all categories of Single Use Plastics.
The enforcement of the Single Use Plastics (SUPs) comes into effect on July 1, 2025.
According to the Commissioner, “the position of the State Government has not changed that only single use plastics consisting of styrofoam food packs and all forms of polystyrene cups (disposal cups) are banned.”
“Other items banned in the single use plastics category are plastic straws, plastic cutlery and all single use carrier bags and nylons that have less than 40 micron thickness”, he stated.
He added that as part of moves to demonstrate the state’s seriousness, it has already inaugurated the newly created Plastic Waste Management Fund which is a collaborative effort between the State Government, the Producers and the Producers Responsibility Organizations (PROs).
The plastics waste management fund will be financed by contributions from producers and major importers and will be jointly managed to address plastic waste challenges in the state.
Wahab reiterated the determination of the state government to go ahead with the enforcement of the ban on July 1 after the expiration of a moratorium of 18 months which it had given since the announcement of the intention to effect the ban in January 2024.
