The Lagos State Government has clarified that its ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), effective July 1, 2025, does not include pure water sachets, PET bottles, or nylon carrier bags thicker than 40 microns.
This clarification was issued on Tuesday by the Lagos Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, following what the government described as “deliberate viral misrepresentations” suggesting a blanket ban on all SUPs.
Wahab confirmed that the state’s position remains unchanged, with the ban specifically targeting styrofoam food packs, all forms of polystyrene (disposable) cups, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and all single-use carrier bags and nylons with a thickness of less than 40 microns.
To reinforce its commitment to managing plastic waste, the state government inaugurated the Plastic Waste Management Fund.
This collaborative initiative, involving the government, producers, and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), will be financed by contributions from producers and major importers.
The fund’s purpose is to jointly manage and utilize resources to address the ongoing challenge of plastic waste across Lagos.
Wahab reiterated that enforcement of the ban will commence on July 1, marking the end of an 18-month moratorium announced in January 2024, a period intended to give stakeholders ample time to adjust. In a separate statement on Monday, he emphasized, “This is about environmental responsibility.
We have given 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.”
He added, “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.”
This enforcement builds on previous actions by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI.
In September 2024, LAGESC, in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), destroyed ₦5 million worth of seized styrofoam packs in Epe and other locations across the state.
In June 2024, the federal government announced its own ban on single-use plastics across ministries, departments, and agencies.
The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, stated after a Federal Executive Council meeting that the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, adopted in 2020, aims for a nationwide ban on certain plastic categories by January 2025.
Salako highlighted the severe dangers of plastic pollution, noting its contributions to flooding, drainage system blockages, marine ecosystem contamination, and significant risks to human health and the environment.
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