Lagos enforces single-use plastic ban, raids supermarkets
Lagos State Government has stepped up enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics, raiding major supermarkets and confiscating prohibited products as part of efforts to address the city’s mounting waste crisis.
On Tuesday, officials from the state’s Ministry of the Environment led operations at outlets including Blenco Supermarket in Lekki, Blend & Temple Hill in Ire-Akari, Jendol in Jakande Estate, as well as stores in Ejigbo and Idimu.
Video footage shared by Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, showed enforcement teams clearing shelves of plastic cups, beverage straws, disposable plates, and other banned products.
“Our enforcement team today visited Blenco Supermarket in Lekki to enforce the ban on single-use plastics,” Wahab wrote in a post on X
The ban was first announced in January 2024 with an initial prohibition on styrofoam packs and a plan to extend restrictions to plastics below 40 microns. Authorities gave businesses and consumers an 18-month grace period to adjust, setting July 1, 2025, as the start of full enforcement.
Under the law, prohibited items include straws, disposable plates, cutlery, polythene bags, and other lightweight plastics. Offenders face fines of up to ₦250,000 and possible suspension of business licences for repeat violations.
Tuesday’s raid marks one of the most visible enforcement drives since the grace period expired. Wahab has repeatedly warned that businesses that continue to defy the ban will face stiffer sanctions.
However, full compliance remains a challenge. Many markets still stock banned items, citing the slow rollout of affordable biodegradable alternatives. Environmental advocates argue that enforcement must be complemented with investment in recycling and waste management infrastructure to ensure lasting change.
Government officials maintain that the ban is non-negotiable, calling it a key step toward building what they describe as a “safer, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos.”
(Guardian)
