Lagos Govt announces plans to ban pure water, single-use plastics

The Lagos State Government has announced its plan to ban the circulation of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), including PET bottles and sachet water, effective from January 2025.

This initiative follows a similar move in January 2024 when the government banned the use of styrofoam across the state due to the growing concern over plastic waste and its harmful environmental impact.

During a stakeholders’ workshop held at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, represented by Special Adviser Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, explained that the ban is part of the state’s broader policy to manage plastic waste sustainably and ensure a safer environment.

The policy will be supported by appropriate legal frameworks to ensure effective enforcement.

Currently, Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste monthly, with over 60 percent of this being plastic waste. Given the significant role plastics play in waste pollution, the government sees this move as a critical step towards improving environmental health.

However, stakeholders in the sector have urged the state government to consider phased implementation rather than an outright ban, citing the current economic hardships and the need for a gradual transition to allow for compliance without adding further strain.

According to Wahab, “Plastics waste materials make up a significant proportion of solid wastes and litter the metropolis.

“It has become a highly visible part of the waste stream, PET, Styrofoam and nylon for sachet water, popularly called “pure water” commonly being used for water and beverages, take away plates and cups, carrier bags, among others.

“This development is posing environmental challenges ranging from Ecosystems degradation, Drainage clogging and flooding, Lagoon and Ocean debris with attendant harm to human resulting in high socio-economic impacts on the State.”

He stressed that effective plastic waste management is fundamental to delivery of the State government’s priority transformational agenda as laid down in Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) and THEMES’ Plus Agenda of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, because it is a resource that can be managed to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits.

Wahab added that sustainable plastic waste management will create value from the waste stream and formalize the waste-pickers’ sector to improve livelihoods and reduce the pressure on landfill.

“It will improve the situation of the State’s drainage channels and reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment,” the commissioner stated.

Lagos chairperson, Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria, ATWAP, Mosaku Ololade, said, “We have been engaging Lagos State Government on the way forward and we have been sensitizing our members on the planned ban.

“We want the government to continue to engage us. We are a responsible association. We are ready to work with the government.

“We have over 2,000 members in Lagos alone with over 10,000 workers. We heeby, implore the government to implement the ban in phases to allow our members ample opportunity for compliance.

“There are lot of things to be put in place before coming up with total enforcement.”