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Shoprite Shoppers Adjust As Lagos Plastic Ban Ends Nylon Bag Use

Published

2 months ago

Jan 11, 2025.

Shoprite stops providing nylon bags in compliance with Lagos plastic ban.
Shoppers use trolleys and reusable bags to carry purchases.
Lagos government enforces ban on single-use plastics, including styrofoam.

Shoppers at different Shoprite outlets in Lagos are adjusting to the retail store’s recent decision to stop providing nylon bags to customers.

In line with the Lagos State Government’s ban on single-use plastics, Shoprite stopped offering nylon bags on January 1. The policy, aimed at reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment, has seen customers find alternative ways to carry their items.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that at Shoprite’s Ikeja outlet inside the Ikeja City Mall, shoppers were observed carrying items with bare hands or using store trolleys to transport their purchases to their vehicles. Some chose not to buy bags and instead loaded their goods directly into car trunks.

A public notice displayed at the store further highlighted that Shoprite had also ceased offering other single-use plastic items, such as plastic straws, cutlery, and Styrofoam packaging.

The notice reads: “In support of the Lagos State Government’s ban on single-use plastics, we will no longer provide the following items in our store: plastic straws, nylon bags, plastic cutlery, and Styrofoam packs. Let’s reduce plastic waste and protect our environment.” The store encouraged customers to bring their own reusable bags.

For those without reusable bags, Shoprite Ikeja is offering a Bagco super sack for purchase.

The notice reminded customers to help by bringing their own bags and take part in reducing plastic waste.

This shift aligns with the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to reduce single-use plastics in the city. Officials have visited Shoprite outlets to ensure compliance with the ban. The state government plans to extend the ban on single-use plastics and sachet water by January 2025, along with a previous ban on Styrofoam in government establishments since January 2024.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, affirmed the policy’s aim to enhance sustainable plastic waste management and ensure a cleaner, safer environment in Lagos.