As Lagos Enforces Single-Use Plastic Ban, What Are the Hidden Benefits?

Lagos State is looking to reap the benefits of the imminent full enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics (SUPs).

The enforcement, set to begin on July 1, 2025, will come 18 months after the state government initially announced the ban in January 2024.

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SUPs are products intended for short-term use, often discarded after a single application.

Following the announcement, stakeholders and some residents criticised the government for the short notice.

Since then, the state has delayed full enforcement, instead organising a series of stakeholder engagement sessions with marketers and producers of SUPs to facilitate a smoother transition, according to the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

“This is about environmental responsibility. We have given ample time to align with global best practices. What is unacceptable elsewhere cannot become standard in Lagos. We must protect our future and do what is right for the greater good,” Wahab wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday.

“We’re not here to score points. We’re here to do the work. Just like with the successful enforcement of the styrofoam ban, we will insist on accountability and responsibility.”

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab moves to enforce Single-Use plastic ban

Lagos is not alone in its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics. According to Solinatra, more than 130 countries have implemented either complete or partial bans on single-use plastic.

These bans have become necessary due to the dangers posed by SUPs. Plastic production, processing, and waste management are estimated to account for 4.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Moreover, the impact of plastic pollution and microplastics on ecosystems and the health of humans, flora, and fauna has been found, time and again, to cause chronic and devastating damage.

Faced with such dangers, the Lagos government is taking action to mitigate the problem. These efforts may yield significant benefits for public health and the environment.

So, What Are the Benefits of the Single-Use Plastic Ban?

Lagos is currently grappling with a sanitation crisis, worsened by persistent challenges in waste management. SUPs have significantly contributed to this crisis as they do not decompose and are costly to clean up and dispose of.

A report by the WWF noted that governments, NGOs, and concerned citizens collectively incur up to $15 billion per year on clean-up efforts to remove plastic waste.

Beyond reducing waste management costs, banning single-use plastics could also improve public health by reducing microplastic contamination in food and water—linked to health risks such as hormonal disruptions.

Studies show that chemicals added during plastic production can interfere with the endocrine system and hormones that regulate growth and development. Additionally, chemicals found in plastics have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and poor foetal development.

File photo: Lagos moves to enforce Single-Use plastic ban

An analysis by researchers at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom suggests that high levels of ingested microplastics may also cause cell damage, potentially leading to inflammation and allergic reactions.

Therefore, the Lagos ban on single-use plastics could help residents avoid several serious health risks.

Lastly, the ban could contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production and disposal. The plastic lifecycle accounts for roughly 3.4% of global emissions, worsening the climate crisis.

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As a state that has repeatedly expressed its commitment to environmental protection, Lagos’s move to ban single-use plastics is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

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