From trash-strewn sidewalks to avenue distributors packing meals in polystyrene containers, plastic waste is a continuing risk within the city panorama of Lagos, Nigeria’s financial capital and the continent’s most populous metropolis.
That image may quickly change if the Lagos native authorities succeeds in implementing its current bold ban on the usage of polystyrene and single-use plastics.
The announcement of the ban on Styrofoam bins and single-use plastics, “with fast impact”, by Tokunbo Wahab, the state Commissioner for Setting, took many Lagosians without warning, particularly those that make their residing within the casual sector.
“Styrofoam bins are cheaper than reusable plastic bins,” says Cecilia Mathew, 20, who sells rice, meat and garri (or cassava flour) dishes on the streets of Lagos’ common Obalende neighborhood.
“There is no such thing as a level in placing meals in a poly bag [plastic bag]” stated one other meals vendor, Funmilayo Oresanya, 43.
For environmentalists, the transfer by Lagos State was a welcome measure that might not solely cut back waste but in addition cut back carbon emissions.
However different critics questioned the feasibility of a right away ban on such extensively used merchandise, particularly for companies.
“It is too sudden,” stated Kehinde Bakare, 61, a Styrofoam field vendor. “There are individuals who use it as a livelihood, so what are they going to do? What concerning the manufacturing individuals?” she stated, asking in the event that they had been being provided “replacements.”
Nigerian quick meals chain Meals Ideas, recognized for its common eating places Rooster Republic, PieXpress and The Chopbox, “applauded” the measure, saying in a press release that it was “starting the transition” to finish polystyrene bins and its prospects to encourage ‘to return’. with its personal 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 optimistic if Lagos State correctly manages its motion plan.
On his X account, Wahab printed a video on Tuesday exhibiting well being employees finishing up checks within the metropolis.
In 2019, Nigerian parliamentarians handed a legislation banning plastic baggage, but it surely reached a useless finish because the legislative course of was not accomplished. Different African nations have additionally tried to ban plastic baggage, with various levels of success.
However in Lagos, a megacity of greater than 20 million inhabitants, the problem of waste administration is essential, as waste usually blocks sewers and evacuation routes, particularly in the course of the wet season, inflicting flooding and the unfold of mosquitoes, vectors of malaria, in stagnant circumstances is promoted. water.
Nigeria is the second largest importer of plastic in Africa, in accordance with Germany’s Heinrich-Boell Basis, accounting for 17 p.c of the continent’s complete plastic consumption, and greater than 130,000 tons of plastic results in Nigerian waters yearly.
If nothing adjustments, plastic imports and consumption will exceed 40 million tonnes by 2030, the 2020 report warned.
‘Socio-economic penalties’
Plastic microparticles are ingested by animals and can be present in people, says Temitope Olawunmi Sogbanmu, an environmental toxicologist on the College of Lagos, pointing to the “non-degradable” nature of those supplies.
However whereas the ban on polystyrene and single-use plastics is “excellent news” for the local weather and sustainability, Sogbanmu says she remains to be involved about “the socio-economic influence” of this measure on “these whose livelihoods rely of this worth chain”.
The local weather advantages might be offset by the influence on sellers of meals and water in plastic baggage and on waste collectors who’re a part of the casual economic system in a rustic already experiencing an financial disaster with gasoline costs tripling since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu got here to energy Could in energy.
Annual inflation was virtually 29 p.c in December.
“Extra individuals might be impoverished and it’ll turn out to be much more troublesome for individuals to get fundamental wants,” stated Sogbanmu, recommending the implementation of “strategic interventions,” particularly for the poor.
Environmentalist Oluwaseyi Moejho stated the Lagos State authorities has taken a daring step however agreed that authorities officers ought to ask the individuals what they need and the way they will help them.
“As soon as upon a time there was a Nigeria with out plastic, and we survived. It is rather doable,” she stated. “I perceive the comfort of plastics, it’s fairly blinding, however comfort on the expense of our lives and the longer term is simply too costly.”