Nigeria: Lagos State bans styrofoam, single-use plastics

Lagos State, Nigeria, has swiftly implemented a ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics.

The state government’s announcement, made on Sunday, aims to address the severe environmental impact of non-biodegradable materials on the megacity of over 20 million people.

The Lagos environment commissioner stated, “Following the menace which single-use plastics, especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam, are causing on the environment, the Lagos State government is hereby announcing a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics.”

Immediate concerns arise regarding the practicality of enforcing such a ban, as many street vendors and markets in Lagos heavily rely on styrofoam containers for food service and delivery.

These containers, along with other plastic waste, contribute to litter on roads and block drainage systems, exacerbating the city’s existing challenges.

While some Nigerians welcome the initiative as a positive step towards environmental sustainability, questions linger about the implementation process and the alternatives available for traders and manufacturers.

Folawemi Umunna, co-founder of the Climate and Ecological Protection Initiative, expressed optimism, stating, “This is wonderful news for the environment on different levels and, if effectively executed, capable of reducing a substantial amount of CO2 emissions in tonnes in the Lagos State perimeter.”

Lagos, situated between lagoons and the Atlantic Ocean, faces a unique set of climate-related problems, including flooding risks in densely populated areas. The ban aligns with efforts seen in other African countries like Kenya and Uganda, where attempts to curb plastic pollution have been made.

The global scale of the plastic crisis is underscored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which estimates that the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks of plastic is dumped into seas, rivers, and lakes daily.

Annually, 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into the world’s water ecosystems, according to UNEP. Lagos State’s decisive action adds to the growing international momentum in addressing the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices.