The Lagos State administration, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has outlawed the use and distribution of single-use plastics, such as styrofoam, throughout the whole state.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stressed that the restriction takes effect right away in a statement published on Sunday via his official account.
Experts have identified single-use plastic goods as posing serious risks to human health and the environment. These things are usually thrown away after a single usage or a brief period of time.
Styrofoam, also known as closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), is commonly used for insulating walls, roofs, and foundations in construction. It serves as thermal insulation and acts as a water barrier. Additionally, styrofoam is often employed in the production of disposable plates used in eateries or catering services.
Wahab listed the importance of the ban, citing the detrimental impact of single-use plastics on the environment, especially in a densely populated city like Lagos.
“Following the menace which single-use plastics, especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam, are causing on the environment, the Lagos State government through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is hereby announcing a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the State with immediate effect,” Wahab stated on Sunday.
Lagos, being Nigeria’s bustling economic hub and highly populated metropolis, frequently faces challenges with drainage channels and canals being obstructed by single-use plastics (SUPs) and styrofoam products.
