Lagos State Government has banned the use of Styrofoam and other single use plastics by residents it the State.
The Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, has commended Lagos State Government for that bold decision. He stated that the ban of some plastic materials is inevitable.
The minister said the decision of the Lagos State Government to ban Styrofoam and other single use plastics is a strong signal to businesses and the general public that the menace of single use plastics needs to be comprehensively addressed, if Nigeria is to deliver on her environmental agenda of sustainability.
The minster stated thus:
“The current poorly regulated and indiscriminate use of plastics has to be addressed, and Nigerians must prepare for the inevitable change in this area, including banning of some products.
“In the interim, Nigerians are advised to take personal deliberate environmental actions to reduce and reuse plastics and also explore the growing market of recycling for their plastic waste.
“In the coming days, robust awareness campaign and sensitization will be rolled out to prepare Nigerians for the inevitable ban of some plastics and the wholistic circular management of our waste.”
“The Federal Ministry of Environment recently inaugurated an interagency committee to continue the process of robust consultation across government, across businesses and with all stakeholders to birth a sustainable solution that is sensitive to the Nigeria context”.
The ministry is examining policies and initiatives that will drive the production of alternatives to plastics”.