Sanwo-Olu bans styrofoam, single-use plastics in Lagos

The government led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State has implemented a ban on the use and distribution of styrofoam and other forms of single-use plastics across the entire state.

In a statement shared through his official handle on Sunday, Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, emphasized that the ban is effective immediately.

Single-use plastic items, typically discarded after a single use or a short period, have been recognized by experts as posing severe environmental and health hazards.

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.