The Lagos State Authorities has introduced plans to collaborate with Lafarge to repurpose pure water sachets utilizing the corporate’s factories.
This initiative is a part of efforts to ban single-use plastics (SUPs), and can embody a buyback system to make sure correct assortment and reuse.
The Commissioner for the Atmosphere and Water Assets, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this throughout a gathering with the Meals and Drinks Recyclers Alliance (FBRA), clarifying that the federal government shouldn’t be banning pure water however limiting plastics under 40 microns, that are tougher to recycle and dangerous to the atmosphere.
The announcement was contained in a press release on the official Fb web page of the state authorities on Friday.
“The federal government shouldn’t be banning pure water. We will purchase the sachets again, and we’re working across the buyback course of. I’m additionally glad that a number of interventions for recycling and reusing these merchandise are in progress. We’re planning on signing an MoU with Lafarge subsequent week for a particular use at their manufacturing facility,” Wahab mentioned.
The Commissioner defined that whereas Lagos banned styrofoam in January 2024, phasing out single-use plastics requires a extra structured strategy as a consequence of their widespread use.
Extra insights
The assertion additionally highlighted Wahab’s remarks that, in contrast to styrofoam, which was comparatively simpler to section out, single-use plastics stay deeply embedded throughout industries.
He famous that many massive supermarkets and stores have already begun discouraging single-use plastic baggage by providing thicker, reusable alternate options as an alternative of free disposable baggage.
Chairman of the Meals and Drinks Recyclers Alliance (FBRA), Ziad Maclouf, welcomed the state authorities’s efforts, stressing that company stakeholders totally assist the transition to sustainable alternate options.
He added that FBRA is actively selling waste separation and recycling, encouraging companies and shoppers to adapt to the evolving laws.
As Lagos advances its plastic waste administration technique, the federal government is urging residents to embrace reusable supplies and take part in recycling initiatives.
The upcoming partnership with Lafarge is predicted to strengthen plastic waste repurposing efforts and contribute to the state’s long-term sustainability targets.
What you must know
- In January 2024, the Lagos State Authorities banned single-use plastics and styrofoam, citing their contribution to blocked drainages, environmental air pollution, and well being hazards.
- The ban was supported by current laws, together with the Nationwide Environmental (Sanitation and Waste Management) Regulation 2009 and the 2017 State Environmental Administration Safety Legislation.
- Whereas enforcement companies like LAWMA and KAI took steps to grab styrofoam and shut down non-compliant companies, enforcement remained restricted.
- To handle this, the federal government issued a ultimate discover in October 2024, confirming that full enforcement would take impact in January 2025.
- It additionally introduced collaborations with personal sector organizations to introduce alternate options to styrofoam and single-use plastics whereas supporting analysis into revolutionary waste administration options.
