Sustainable waste management: Lagos sets January 2025 deadline for single-use plastics ban

Abdullateef Fowewe‬

The Lagos State Government has confirmed that the implementation of the ban of single-use plastics will commence in January 2025. ‬

‪The initiative will be supported by the creation of a Plastic Waste Management Fund, a collaborative effort between Lagos State, Producers, and Producers Responsibility Organisations. ‬

‪Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed this in a statement on Friday, that the fund will be financed by contributions from producers and major importers, and will be jointly managed to address plastic waste challenges in the State.‬

He said, “At the recent Engagement Workshop held on October 3 in Ikeja, we reaffirmed our commitment to managing plastic waste through the adoption of mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for polyethene terephthalate (PET), sachets, and carrier bags of no less than 40 microns.

“Styrofoam and other Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) that have been banned since January 2024, will have enforcement of the ban commencing in January 2025 after the one-year moratorium period. The SUPs affected include Styrofoam plates and cups, straws, single-use plastic cutlery, and nylon bags less than 40 microns.

“The workshop was designed to consolidate the agreements reached during previous stakeholder consultations and to launch a comprehensive advocacy and enlightenment campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness and ensure that producers, stakeholders, and the public are fully informed and aligned with the State’s commitment to sustainable plastic waste management.”