Lagos State Takes Bold Step to Curb Plastic Pollution: Styrofoam Ban Enforced with Stricter Penalties
With move aimed at tackling environmental degradation, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has announced the immediate ban on plastic styrofoam, commonly known as takeaway packs, throughout the state. The Commissioner highlighted the adverse impact of these plastics on the environment, citing clogged drainage channels and ongoing pollution despite regular cleaning efforts.
Wahab emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "The State Government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration of its environment, especially for a coastal city." He directed the Lagos Waste Management Authority and the Kick Against Indiscipline to swiftly enforce the ban, targeting production companies and distribution outlets for Styrofoam.
Producers, distributors, and end-users were sternly warned to comply with the ban or face severe consequences, including heavy fines and the potential sealing of their premises. The Commissioner urged citizens to adopt eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable food containers and water bottles.
This latest measure follows reports that despite Nigeria's estimated $2 billion recycling industry, Lagos State grapples with a significant plastic pollution problem. The state produces a staggering 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, and efforts to address this challenge have faced persistent hurdles.
In response to the ongoing environmental concerns, Wahab called on consumers and residents to boycott styrofoam packs and single-use plastics. The move aligns with the advocacy by non-governmental organizations like the Center for Earth Works, which, in a previous report, expressed dismay over the indiscriminate use and disposal of plastic materials in Nigeria, demanding an end to plastic pollution nationwide.
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