The Lagos State Government has announced plans to ban the circulation of sachet water and other single-use plastics (SUPs) starting from January 2025.
This initiative is part of the state’s efforts to combat plastic waste and ensure a sustainable and healthy environment.
At a stakeholders’ workshop on Thursday, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the impending ban. He explained that this policy is aimed at promoting responsible plastic use and implementing sustainable waste management practices across the state.
This follows the state government’s earlier ban on Styrofoam use in January 2024 in all government establishments and across the city, as part of measures to curb the growing environmental damage caused by plastic waste.
READ ALSO: Lagos moves against bottled, sachet water producers, seals off factories
However, stakeholders in the water packaging sector, including the Association for Table Water Producers of Nigeria (ATWAP), have called for a phased implementation of the ban. The Lagos Chairperson of ATWAP, Mosaku Ololade, emphasized the need for a gradual enforcement process to allow businesses time to adjust, especially considering the current economic challenges. With over 2,000 members in Lagos employing more than 10,000 workers, Ololade urged the government to provide ample time for compliance.
READ ALSO: We Make Interlocking Tiles With Sachet Water Nylon
Ololade reaffirmed the association’s readiness to work with the government, but stressed the importance of ensuring the ban is enforced in a way that does not negatively impact livelihoods. Stakeholders emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on continued collaboration between the government and the business community.
