Lagos Struggles with Enforcement of Plastics Ban Amid Pollution Crisis

Lagos Faces Challenges in Enforcing Plastics Ban

Nigerian shop manager Olarewanju Ogunbona finds himself using Styrofoam and plastic packaging frequently each day in Lagos, a city riddled with plastic pollution. The bustling metropolis, home to over 20 million residents, contributed a staggering 870,000 tonnes of plastic waste in 2024 alone. To combat this environmental crisis, Lagos state authorities implemented a ban on single-use plastics last month. Yet, the enforcement of this prohibition has been inconsistent, and without viable alternatives, its effectiveness remains questionable.

The regulations, effective from July 1, ban single-use plastics such as cutlery, plates, and straws. Businesses that fail to comply risk closure. However, other types of plastic, contributing lesser to the city's waste, still circulate freely. Full compliance appears distant as some retailers continue to stock Styrofoam containers on their shelves. "Sellers are still using it very well," Ogunbona remarked, noting his ongoing purchase of meals in Styrofoam.

Globally, nations, including Nigeria, have gathered in Geneva for discussions on a treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution. Previous efforts have stalled largely due to resistance from oil-rich countries against limiting plastic production, with plastics being heavily dependent on fossil fuels like oil and gas.

Lagos generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with plastic accounting for almost 20%. A lack of robust waste management means much of this waste clogs waterways, pollutes beaches, and exacerbates flooding. Despite the local government's portrayal of the single-use plastic ban as pivotal, skepticism persists among environmental watchdogs.

"The effectiveness is limited without enforcing the law rigorously, providing affordable alternatives for vendors, and overhauling the overburdened waste management systems," said Olumide Idowu, an environmental activist in Lagos.

The Lagos state government was unavailable for comments on these concerns.

Amid Lagos' lure as a place of opportunity, pollution solutions are emerging. An uptick in private waste managers and sustainability initiatives seek to mitigate the crisis. In Obalende, near the upscale Ikoyi district, two women meticulously scrape labels off plastic bottles and prepare them for recycling, earning about 5,000 naira (USD 3.26) daily. Competition among such waste management workers is growing.

Omoh Alokwe, co-founder of the Street Waste Company, believes manufacturers must play a critical role in resolving plastic waste issues. "They need to ensure plastics introduced into the environment are collected back and recycled," Alokwe emphasized. Experts assert that altering resident behavior is vital for the single-use plastic ban to succeed.

Shop owner Ogunbona echoed a widespread sentiment: "Lagos residents need alternatives to plastics. Otherwise, we will keep using them."

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