SEO Riders:
– Lagos State commits to zero tolerance: SUP ban enforced after 18-month grace period.
– Exemptions include thick carrier bags, PET bottles, and pure water sachets—producers urged to comply.
– Table-water firms pledge EPR-backed waste fund; recyclers aligned on accountability.
Lagos State Government, led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, reaffirmed its unwavering decision to commence full enforcement of the single-use plastics (SUP) ban on July 1, 2025, after an 18-month phase-out following its January 2024 rollout. The ban targets items under 40 microns—such as straws, cutlery, lightweight bags, and polystyrene packages. However, vital consumer goods like PET bottles and pure‑water sachets remain exempt. Wahab emphasized that Lagos, as a coastal megacity, requires aggressive action to protect its environment and public health, and warned of strict consequences for non-compliance.
The ban enjoys growing stakeholder support: the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) publicly backed the initiative and pledged cooperation with the state’s Plastic Waste Management Fund, spearheaded by extended producer responsibility. Similarly, the Food and Beverages Recyclers Alliance has been engaged in stakeholder roundtables and will coordinate with LAWMA and LAGESC to ensure enforcement and waste recovery infrastructure are effectively mobilized. While some manufacturers have urged a reconsideration, citing economic concerns, the government remains firm: the transition period is over and enforcement “will begin… and heavens will not fall.” 
