Lagos Government To Start Enforcing Single-Use Plastics Ban From July 1

Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin fully enforcing the ban on single-use plastics starting July 1.

This was made known by the Lagos Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

According to him, the government has spent the past 18 months preparing for this move through consistent dialogue and engagement with those involved in the production and sale of single-use plastics.

Wahab said the state held several meetings with stakeholders, including producers and marketers, to ensure everyone was aware of the changes and had time to adjust.

Back in January 2024, the government banned Styrofoam products, a decision that sparked mixed reactions, especially from traders who rely on them for packaging.

However, Wahab explained that Lagos cannot accept what the rest of the world is rejecting, emphazing that the ban is about taking environmental responsibility seriously.

He stressed that the grace period given was long enough for everyone to switch to more sustainable alternatives.

Wahab said, “Now it’s time to act. We re-emphasised this stand during a courtesy visit by management of TETRA PAK West Africa Limited, led by the Managing Director, Haithem Debbiche.

“This is about environmental responsibility. And we have given an ample time to align with global best practices.

“What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. We must protect our future and do what is right for the greater good.

“We’re not here to score points. We’re here to do the work. Just like with the successful enforcement of the styrofoam ban, we will insist on accountability and responsibility.

“A cleaner, healthier Lagos is within reach if we all play our part.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Lagos State Government also announced plans to replace the current yearly rent system with more flexible monthly or quarterly payment options.