Lagos State to Ban Single-Use Plastics and Styrofoam

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In the bustling urban landscape of Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub and the continent's most populous city, plastic waste has long posed a persistent challenge. 

However, this familiar sight may soon undergo a transformation if the recent bold ban on polystyrene and single-use plastics by the local Lagos State government successfully comes into effect.

READ ALSO: Nigeria To Ban Degrees From Kenya and Uganda

The surprise announcement of the ban on styrofoam boxes and single-use plastics "with immediate effect," by Tokunbo Wahab, the state's commissioner for environment, sparked a mix of responses, particularly within the informal sector where vendors ply their trade.


Streetside vendors, such as 20-year-old Cecilia Mathew, expressed concern over the potential impact on their livelihoods, citing the economic advantage of utilizing styrofoam boxes over reusable, more expensive plastic containers. Funmilayo Oresanya, another food vendor, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the practical challenges posed by the immediate ban.

READ ALSO: Explosion in Southwest Nigeria Claims Two Lives, Others Injured

Environmentalists viewed the ban as a significant step toward curbing waste and reducing carbon emissions, welcoming the initiative. However, critics, including polystyrene box seller Kehinde Bakare, raised questions about the abruptness of the ban, particularly its implications for those reliant on such products for their livelihoods, and the potential challenges for manufacturers in swiftly adapting to the ban.

In response to the measure, Nigerian fast-food chain Food Concepts, renowned for its popular restaurants Chicken Republic, PieXpress, and The Chopbox, commended the initiative, indicating its commitment to transitioning away from polystyrene boxes and encouraging patrons to utilize their own containers.

Source: Aljazeera

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