The Lagos State Government has debunked reports suggesting an impending ban on sachet water and PET bottles, clarifying that these items are not included in the new restrictions on Single Use Plastics (SUPs).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, addressed the growing confusion. The statement, released through the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, emphasized that the ban targets only specific categories of plastic waste.
According to Wahab, styrofoam food packs, polystyrene cups, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and carrier bags or nylons below 40-micron thickness are the items affected by the ban, which is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
He stated:
“The ban does not cover PET bottles or sachet water. It only applies to certain harmful single-use plastics that pose serious environmental threats.”
The commissioner attributed the public confusion to deliberate misinformation being spread online and reiterated that the state’s position remains unchanged.
To reinforce its commitment to tackling plastic pollution, Wahab announced the launch of the Plastic Waste Management Fund — a joint initiative between the Lagos State Government, producers, and Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs). The fund will be financed by major producers and importers of plastic products and used to implement sustainable waste management solutions.
He stressed that the enforcement of the ban would begin after an 18-month moratorium, which was announced back in January 2024.
“We are determined to move forward with enforcement come July 1. Lagos must tackle the growing plastic waste problem head-on,” he added.
