The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has commended the Lagos State Government for its recent prohibition of single-use plastics and styrofoam plates within the state. HEDA therefore, encourage other states and the Federal government to follow suit, emphasizing the importance of collective adoption to address the nationwide environmental issues.
HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, lauded Lagos for the decisive action, stating that such a decision should have been implemented earlier. Notably, HEDA had advocated for the ban during the 2023 World Environmental Day under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” underscoring the environmental harm caused by single-use styrofoam plates and similar utensils.
“We applaud Lagos for leading the charge in tackling the problem of single-use plastics, particularly styrofoam plates. We hope this move by Lagos will inspire and guide other states to implement similar bans. Since Lagos contributes significantly to plastic waste generation, it’s crucial for other states to follow suit to realize the full benefits of this policy,” stated Arigbabu.
Arigbabu emphasized that since Lagos receives water drainage from surrounding areas, it’s imperative for neighboring states to also ban single-use plastics to prevent the influx of plastic waste into Lagos. Environmental degradation knows no boundaries, hence a nationwide approach is essential.
Concerning effective implementation, Arigbabu emphasizes the importance of clarity in policy content and enforcement modalities. He urges inclusive involvement of stakeholders, including local governments, residents’ associations, market associations, plastic manufacturers, waste management entities, NGOs, and the media. Arigbabu advocates for a moratorium to facilitate dialogue and proper handling of existing plastic stock.
Moreover, Arigbabu stresses the significance of public education to ensure the policy’s success. He recommends substantial investment in enlightening the public and garnering their support, as the success of the ban hinges on widespread awareness and compliance.
HEDA encourages Lagos to collaborate with neighboring states, such as Ogun and Oyo, and proposes a concerted effort to clean up existing plastic waste.
Arigbabu urges the Federal Government to support Lagos by providing necessary assistance and incentives. He advocates for the Federal Government to set a national date for adopting the policy, accompanied by substantial investment in behavioral change initiatives nationwide.
Lastly, Arigbabu calls on Nigeria to use its influence in Africa and globally to champion the fight against single-use plastic. He suggests leveraging existing policies like extended producer pay principles to address plastic pollution at a broader scale.