The popularly used non-biodegradable Styrofoam, known as takeaway packs and other single-use plastics have been banned by Lagos State government in the state.
This was announced via a statement on his X (former Twitter) account on Sunday, January 21, 2024 by the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
The Commissioner said the takeaway packs are making the city of Lagos look so unappealing and that the government of the state is seriously committed to make the environment look clean and healthy.
He also noted that the ban was long overdue considering the nature of the materials the ‘takeaway packs’ are produced from, which are non-biodegradable and constitute menace to the environment.
Following the menace which single-use plastics especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam are causing on the environment, the Lagos State government (@followlasg) through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (@LasgMOE) is hereby announcing a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the State with immediate effect. #CleanerLagos,” his tweet read.
These packs have constituted environment nuisance since they became major sources of food packaging in Nigeria. Experts have voiced their positions of them materials being one of the major causes of urban flash flooding and dirty environment – because they block drainages and gutters – inhibiting free flow of rain water.
Takeaway packs’ produced from Styrofoam poses serious health risks to humans, as well to aquatic life and to the environment, reason many health stakeholders have been calling on government to ban their usage as packs for foods.
