The Lagos State government has taken a significant step towards environmental conservation by announcing a ban on using and distributing styrofoam and other single-use plastics (SUPs) across the state. The ban, declared by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos, is effective immediately.
SUPs, including styrofoam, are often utilized briefly before disposal, contributing to environmental degradation and posing potential health risks. Styrofoam, known for its use in building insulation and disposable packs or plates commonly found in eateries, has been mainly targeted by the ban.
“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,” stated Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital and most populous city, has witnessed the adverse effects of SUPs and styrofoam on its drainage channels and canals. The materials often lead to blockages, exacerbating flooding issues and posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems.