By Yemi Olakitan
The social media is agog with discussions for and against the banning of single-use plastic containers by the Lagos State Government.
Nigerians from all walks of life reacted vehemently to the ban. While environmentally minded individuals have supported the ban, many Nigerians have berated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for failing to find alternative Solutions such as waste recycling, to the problem of single plastic takeaway containers.
Some have predicted woes and calamity for many who daily earn their pay cheque from the single-use plastic container industry.
Some of the comments on X, formerly Twitter are:
@oficialndifreke said, “How do we manage takeaways then? I’m not an expert here but isn’t recycling a more viable option if possible?
@oOluwafemi_sysad said, “There is a bigger problem which is waste disposal. Banning this wouldn’t entirely solve that for you.”
@BolajiOyebode reacted, “Why not create means to effectively recycle these things?”
Recently, the U.S.-Nigeria Trade Council also joined in the debate and noted that the sudden prohibition of single-use plastic containers by the Lagos State Government will place a huge financial burden on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) within the state.
The President of the council, Mr. Titus Olowokere, told newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday on the matter.
He appealed to the government, urging it to evaluate the ban’s economic consequences carefully.
He also stressed the need to collaborate with stakeholders to formulate sustainable waste management strategies and foster entrepreneurship, economic advancement, and environmental sustainability.
He mentioned that while the council acknowledges the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, the sudden ban on single-use plastics is considered potentially problematic to small businesses.
“We firmly believe that this ban will have detrimental effects on Lagos state economy and exacerbate the unemployment crisis.
“We urge the government to reconsider this decision and take into account alternative solutions that promote entrepreneurship, sustainable consumption, and waste management.
“This ban directly affects not only industry workers but also countless small-scale entrepreneurs who depend on the plastic sector for their livelihoods.
“Furthermore, from an economic standpoint, the ban imposes an enormous financial burden on businesses, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), as they are forced to find alternatives or invest in costly infrastructure to comply with the regulation.
“This additional expenditure, coupled with the already challenging business environment, will impede growth and hinder economic development, not only in Lagos but in Nigeria as a country,” Olowokere said.
Speaking further, the council advised that the Lagos State government encourage and promote effective waste management as a credible alternative to the ban.
According to Olowokere, this will promote responsible consumer behaviour and support the transition towards eco-friendly alternatives.
He suggested that the state explore collaboration with industry stakeholders to foster the creation and acceptance of eco-friendly packaging alternatives, including materials that are biodegradable or compostable.
In addition, he expressed the council’s support for investing in recycling infrastructure.
“The establishment and expansion of recycling facilities will create new job opportunities and support the growth of a sustainable recycling industry in Nigeria.
“The Lagos State government, private sector entities, and civil society organizations must develop and implement waste management projects that drive entrepreneurship and job creation,” he added.
In another interview with blogger and social critic Pa Ayodele Ogunjobi, he questioned the modalities for implementing the ban, saying it was an impossible ban.
Speaking further, Ogunjobi said, “The single-use plastic container popularly known as take away is so popular in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State that, Governor Sanwo-Olu will have to arrest every resident in Lagos State to implement that ban. This is because everybody uses, ‘Take away plastic’ How are they going to implement that law? Arrest everybody? That’s impossible. The way to go is to push for a policy of recycling. Our governments must learn to be innovative not to create more problems because you are trying to solve one problem. Factories will have to close down, and to implement this ban, retailers, and marketers will lose their means of livelihood. What kind of law is that?
‘’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 announced the ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the State with immediate effect.’’
The Lagos State Government announced the banning of the usage and distribution of single-use plastics, especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam across the state.
This disclosure is contained in a post by the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Wahab noted.
The commissioner pointed out that, despite the frequent cleaning and evacuation of drains with substantial resources, the state’s drainage channels are consistently blocked by Styrofoam due to its widespread distribution and careless usage.