LASEPA Bans Single-Use Plastic, Pet Bottles, Others

• LASEPA bans single-use plastic pet bottles and other non-biodegradable among staff

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has decried the increasing rate of single-use plastics, pet bottles, polystyrene and other non-biodegradable wastes in different parts of the State.

It noted the need for urgent steps to revert the trend and further encouraged reusable plastics or biodegradable materials which are cost-effective, eco friendly and devoid of environmental nuisances.

Read Also: School Resumption: Lagos Frowns At Non-Compliance, Says Many Private Schools Still On Holiday

In a statement released by Bola Ajao, the spokesperson of LASEPA, and obtained by EKO HOT BLOG the agency General Manager, Dolapo Fasawe noted that the idea of presenting its staff with multiple use cloth bags, personalized reusable water bottles, wrapped in old newspapers was not only laudable but symbolic in the agency’s fight against plastic pollution.

The move which was ahead of the UN resolution pledge of 2019, goal to tackle and face out plastic waste by 2030 and advocate for alternate multiple-use products and save our oceans and drainages.

“It’s worrisome to note that every day around 8 million pieces of plastic makes their way into the ocean, with attendant widespread problems affecting the marine environment, threats to ocean health, marine species, food quality and safety, human health, coastal tourism and contribute to global climate change, “.she lamented.

According to her, LASEPA as the police of the environment is leading its talk with the launch of the ban on pet bottles amongst its staff in other to protect the environment and encourage eco-friendly products.  Adding that the success of the pilot experiment would encourage recommendations for other government agencies to implement.

The General Manager disclosed that research has shown that, if plastic production is unabated, the number of plastics floating in the ocean may likely outweigh all the fish in the sea by the year 2050 as many seabirds and marine mammals die annually due to plastic waste.

Fasawe said that unhealthy environmental attitudes have a vicious cycle effect on the lives of the people; therefore to bequeath to generations yet unborn, a sustainable environment, every hand must be on deck to protect the mother earth from environmental pollution.

She recalled laudable eco-friendly measures taken by her agency to curb the tide of plastic pollution, which was included beach and market cleanups at Oniru beach and Sura market respectively, routine town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders and engagement of beverage/drink manufacturers to achieve zero plastic waste and proper disposal of waste.

“Single-use plastics represent the epitome of a throwaway culture that ends up in landfills, oceans, waterways and causes environmental and health hazards, we collaborated with Cleaners Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CPAN) to advocate for attitudinal change towards recycling, plastic pollution, disposal and also promote reward system through our cash for trash programme at Obalende to encourage willful compliance and self-regulation for the desired result, “Fasawe stated.

The LASEPA boss discovered that various meetings and conventions on plastic pollution yielded nothing or little result regarding various recommendations. Thus, the main reason why LASEPA as a front runner in terms of environmental protection decided to practice what it preaches.

Research has also shown that after sorting our waste, pet bottles were filling dust bins faster than other waste items), thus the need to holistically tackle it, with the placement of water dispensers and paper cups at strategic places within the building, for accessibility, and also satisfy people’s need.

“I will be handing over water dispensers as well as some reusable items to all the departments and units as my personal contribution to this campaign on a ban of single-use of plastic by LASEPA.  All the gifts; reusable water bottle, recyclable bag ( and the choice of using old newspaper as wrappers, is to advocate for suitable and multiple-use alternatives that are cost-efficient, friendly and devoid of disposal problems,” Fasawe said.

Beyond giving out these symbolic items, the long term goal is to ensure total compliance by all the staff and encourage them to become an advocate of the recycling and reusable products initiative products in their respective places of residence. While also enjoining others to emulate the culture of keeping old newspapers and use as wrapping gifts in line with the waste to wealth initiative of the government.

The agency in the New Year is considering supplying raw materials, in terms of shredded used documents to toiletries and paper manufacturers to recycle into new useful material rather than littering the bins with paper waster. It will also be focusing on air quality, in order to limit the effect of polluted air which is currently affecting vulnerable age groups, both the elderly and babies.

“This year we are going for air pollution, you must service your car as and when due, your generator must not emit smoke and even for the telecom sector, their mast, if they cannot use gas to power their masts, they will have to find a way to ensure that the waste oil is reused and reused and reused, “the General Manager stated.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Belinda Odeneye who was at the launch revealed that her ministry has a Plastic Waste Management Policy in place and a Recycling Bank for plastic wastes within its premises where people can exchange their plastic wastes for money.

She appreciated LASEPA for championing the advocacy on reusable plastics/products and for setting the pace for environmental sustainability for emulation by other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of the State Government. The move according to her would guarantee quality health for the citizenry and also reduce the rate of some avoidable loss of lives caused by polluted environments.

 

You May Also Like: LAMATA Debunks Report on Plans To Employ 50 Drivers Warns Public

Click to watch our video of the week: