Starting from July 1, 2025, the Lagos State Government has started enforcing a strong ban on harmful plastic items that are used only once and then thrown away.
This new rule is to help protect the environment and keep Lagos clean and safe. The plastics being banned include:
Styrofoam food containers (those white takeaway packs),
Plastic straws,
Light nylon bags (like the thin black ones used in markets),
Disposable cups, and
Plastic spoons, forks, and knives.
The government says that any shop, store, or business caught keeping or selling these banned items will be shut down, and the owners will be punished under Lagos environmental laws.
At a press conference, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, explained that the banned plastics are those that are thinner than 40 microns. These types of plastics block drainage systems, cause flooding, and pollute the city and water bodies.
He said the government gave everyone six months to stop using these plastics, and that grace period ended on June 30. Some people thought the ban would be postponed, but Mr. Wahab made it clear that the government is not going back on its decision.
He warned:
> “Any shop or market still using or selling these plastic items will be sealed, and those responsible will face legal punishment.”
He also said this ban is for the good of everyone — to keep people healthy and protect the environment from pollution.
Mr. Wahab explained that not all plastics are banned. Only the most dangerous ones — the thin, single-use types that are hard to recycle and don’t break down — are affected.
He added that while these plastics cannot be used or sold in Lagos anymore, they can still be transported to other states where such rules do not exist.
When asked if the ban would lead to job losses, the commissioner said no jobs would be lost. In fact, he believes more jobs will be created as businesses switch to safer, eco-friendly alternatives.
He also said that Lagos is not alone. Over 70 countries and big cities around the world have made similar bans to save the planet. Bangladesh was the first country to do this back in 2002.
With this move, Lagos has joined the global effort to reduce plastic waste and protect the Earth for future generations.
