The Lagos State Government has officially declared that it will commence full enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics across the state starting from July 1, 2025. This announcement was made by the State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, during a recent courtesy visit by the management team of Tetra Pak West Africa Limited at Alausa, Ikeja.
The move, which marks a significant step in the state’s environmental sustainability drive, follows an earlier policy directive issued in January 2024, when the government outlawed the use and distribution of styrofoam and similar non-biodegradable materials. Commissioner Wahab explained that the decision to ban single-use plastics was not impulsive, but a deliberate and calculated environmental policy designed to safeguard the future of the state.
According to him, “The choice to prohibit single-use plastics, especially Styrofoam food containers, was driven by necessity. Lagos is a densely populated, low-lying coastal state, sitting below sea level, with a total land area of just 3,575 square kilometres yet home to over 10 percent of Nigeria’s population. This combination poses serious environmental risks that can no longer be ignored.”
He further clarified that when the state moved against styrofoam packaging in 2024, it had also announced its intention to phase out all single-use plastic materials within a 12-month window. However, recognising the need for stakeholders to adjust, the government extended the transition period to 18 months. Wahab confirmed that this grace period will come to a decisive end on July 1, 2025, after which enforcement will begin in earnest.
The Commissioner highlighted the government’s continuous engagement with key industry players, particularly the Food and Beverages Recyclers Alliance (FBBRA), adding that a compliance rate of 70 percent has already been recorded. He stressed that the time for excuses has passed, stating, “If we had discussions with FBBRA members and gave them 12 months, followed by a six-month extension to ensure a smooth transition, then it’s only fair that all parties uphold their end of the bargain.”
Wahab described the measure as a demonstration of the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), urging manufacturers and distributors to be accountable for the lifecycle of the products they introduce into the environment. He also reassured residents that the enforcement exercise would follow the model used in banning styrofoam, which saw minimal resistance due to the extensive awareness campaign that preceded it.
In response to the state’s announcement, the Managing Director of Tetra Pak West Africa Limited, Haithem Debbiche, commended the government’s proactive approach. He expressed his organisation’s full support for the ban, describing it as a positive and necessary step toward environmental preservation and public health.
With July 1 drawing closer, Lagos appears resolute in its mission to rid its environment of harmful, disposable plastic products. The upcoming enforcement represents a crucial chapter in the state’s broader environmental reform agenda, with the government urging all residents, producers, and distributors to adopt sustainable alternatives in the interest of future generations.
