Concerns are mounting in Lagos as Styrofoam containers reappear, undermining the state government’s ban on single-use polystyrene products introduced in January 2024.
Originally aimed at curbing environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable plastics, the ban saw widespread confiscation of Styrofoam items from shops and eateries. Despite these early efforts, many food vendors have resumed using Styrofoam containers, prompting renewed outcry from environmental advocates and residents.
In response, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has ordered intensified enforcement. Teams from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), and the Ministry of Environment will begin large-scale seizures of Styrofoam products starting July 1, 2025.
“Styrofoam usage has caused damage to residents’ health and to the environment for years. We remain committed to promoting safer, sustainable alternatives,” Wahab said.
Lukman Ajayi, spokesperson for KAI, confirmed that enforcement has not been suspended. He emphasized that any food vendor or marketer still using Styrofoam after the grace period will face strict penalties, including fines of N250,000 or up to six months in prison.
The government had earlier granted a 180-day grace period following an appeal by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to allow a smooth transition away from Styrofoam. That period has now expired, and full enforcement will resume.
With widespread plastic pollution already plaguing Lagos’ drainage systems, waterways, and public spaces, authorities say the crackdown is essential to protect both environmental and public health.
