From trash-strewn pavements to avenue distributors packing meals in polystyrene containers, plastic waste is a continuing menace within the city panorama of Lagos, Nigeria’s financial capital and the continent’s most populous metropolis.
That picture might quickly change if the native Lagos State authorities manages to implement its current formidable ban on using polystyrene and single-use plastics.
The announcement of the ban on styrofoam bins and single-use plastics, “with instant impact”, by Tokunbo Wahab, the state’s commissioner for atmosphere, took many Lagosians without warning, particularly those that earn a residing within the casual sector.
“Styrofoam bins are cheaper than reusable plastic ones,” stated Cecilia Mathew, 20, who sells dishes of rice, meat and garri – or cassava flour – on the streets of the favored district of Obalende in Lagos.
“It doesn’t make sense to place meals inside poly bag [plastic bag],” stated one other meals vendor, Funmilayo Oresanya, 43.
For environmentalists, the Lagos State transfer was a welcome one that might not solely reduce down on waste but additionally scale back carbon emissions.
However different critics questioned the feasibility of a right away ban on such generally used merchandise, particularly for companies.
“It’s too sudden,” stated Kehinde Bakare, 61, a polystyrene field vendor. “There are individuals which can be utilizing it as a method of residing so what is going to they be doing? How in regards to the manufacturing individuals?” she stated, asking that they be supplied “substitutes”.
Nigerian fast-food chain Meals Ideas, identified for its common eating places Hen Republic, PieXpress, and The Chopbox, “applauded” the measure, saying in an announcement it was “starting its transition” to finish polystyrene bins and inspiring its prospects “to come back with their very own containers”.
Motion plan
Folawemi Umunna, co-founder of the NGO Initiative for Local weather and Ecological Safety, stated the choice to eradicate non-biodegradable supplies was constructive if Lagos State correctly manages its motion plan.
On his X account, Wahab revealed a video on Tuesday displaying well being staff finishing up checks within the metropolis.
In 2019, Nigerian MPs handed a legislation banning plastic luggage but it surely hit a lifeless finish as a result of it didn’t full its legislative course of. Different African nations have additionally tried to ban plastic luggage with combined success.
However in Lagos, a megacity of greater than 20 million inhabitants, the problem of waste administration is essential as garbage commonly blocks sewers and evacuation routes, significantly in the course of the wet season, inflicting floods and inspiring the proliferation of mosquitoes, vectors of malaria, in stagnant water.
Nigeria is Africa’s second-largest importer of plastics, in response to the German Heinrich-Boell Basis, representing 17 p.c of the entire plastic consumption on the continent, and greater than 130,000 tonnes of plastic leads to Nigerian waters every year.
If nothing is modified, imports and consumption of plastics will exceed 40 million tonnes by 2030, it warned in a 2020 report.
‘Socio-economic penalties’
Plastic microparticles are ingested by animals and might be present in human beings, stated Temitope Olawunmi Sogbanmu, environmental toxicologist on the College of Lagos, pointing to the “non-degradable” nature of those supplies.
But when the ban on polystyrene and single-use plastic is “excellent news” for local weather and sustainability, Sogbanmu says she nonetheless worries about “the socio-economic penalties” of this measure on “these whose livelihood is determined by this worth chain”.
Local weather advantages could also be offset by the affect on distributors of meals and water in plastic luggage in addition to waste collectors who’re a part of the casual financial system in a rustic which is already present process an financial disaster with a tripling of gas costs since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu got here to energy in Could.
The annual inflation charge stood at virtually 29 p.c in December.
“There will likely be extra individuals impoverished and it’ll develop into even more durable for individuals to get the essential issues,” stated Sogbanmu, who recommends the implementation of “strategic interventions” particularly for the poor.
Environmental activist Oluwaseyi Moejho stated the Lagos authorities took a daring step, however agreed that state officers should ask individuals what they need and the way it can help them.
“There was as soon as a Nigeria with out plastic, and we survived it. It is vitally a lot potential,” she stated. “I perceive the comfort of plastics, it’s fairly blinding, however comfort at the price of our lives and future is simply too costly.”
