Lagos State in Nigeria, home to over 20 million people and the country’s economic hub has declared a ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics as part of its efforts to tackle pollution.
The state government announced the immediate implementation of the ban, emphasizing the environmental harm caused by these materials.
The decision aims to address the widespread use of styrofoam containers by street vendors and markets in Lagos, where the discarded plastic items often clutter roads and clog drains.
The state’s environmental commissioner highlighted the negative impact of single-use plastics on the environment and declared the prohibition to combat this issue.
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While some Nigerians welcomed the initiative, concerns were raised about the practicality of enforcing the ban and the potential challenges for traders and manufacturers seeking alternatives.
Folawemi Umunna, co-founder of the Climate and Ecological Protection Initiative, expressed optimism about the move’s positive impact on reducing CO2 emissions and addressing environmental issues such as drainage blockages and harm to marine biodiversity.
Lagos, situated between lagoons and the Atlantic Ocean, grapples with climate-related challenges, including high population density and the risk of flooding.
The ban on styrofoam and single-use plastics aligns with similar efforts in other African countries like Kenya and Uganda, where attempts have been made to restrict plastic bag usage.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights the severity of plastic pollution globally, estimating that the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks of plastic is dumped into seas, rivers, and lakes daily.
Annually, 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the world’s water ecosystems, posing a significant environmental threat, according to UNEP.
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