To further prevent the danger of single-use plastic on the environment, the Lagos State government has declared a ban on the use and distribution of styrofoam and other single-use plastics throughout the state.
This prohibition, effective immediately, is aimed at curbing the environmental and health impacts associated with the disposal of single-use plastic products (SUPs).
Styrofoam, recognized for its thermal insulation properties and use in construction, is also widely employed in crafting disposable packs and plates utilized by eateries and caterers. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos, emphasized the urgent need for action, citing the detrimental effects of SUPs on the densely populated city.
Notably, SUPs and styrofoam packs have been identified as major contributors to the clogging of drainage channels and canals in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital. Lagos State, with approximately 22 million inhabitants, stands out as the highest contributor to the national plastic waste crisis, generating an average of 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually.
The move aligns with global efforts to address the escalating issue of plastic pollution.
In March 2019, the United Nations Environment Assembly passed a resolution titled ‘Addressing single-use plastic products pollution,’ urging governments and the private sector to promote more sustainable practices in the design, production, and management of plastics.
With Nigeria facing a significant challenge due to the widespread consumption of plastic sachets, it is imperative for more cities to follow Lagos’ lead in banning plastic styrofoam and other single-use plastics.
A survey revealed that 70% of Nigerians consume at least one bag of sachet water daily, resulting in the disposal of around 60 million plastic sachets each day, further exacerbating the environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastics.
The urgent need for action is underscored by predictions that, without intervention, there could be nearly one ton of plastic for every three tons of fish in the ocean by 2025, as highlighted by Nicholas Mallos, Director of Ocean Conservancy’s Marine Debris Programme, in 2021.