Manufacturers ask Lagos govt to rethink ban on single-use plastics

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Lagos state government to reconsider its planned ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), scheduled to take effect from July 1, 2025.

In a statement issued on Monday, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director-general of MAN, criticised the decision, arguing that it lacks credible data and could have significant negative consequences for the state’s economy and workforce.

The Lagos government announced the upcoming ban on SUPs citing environmental and health concerns. However, Ajayi-Kadir said no official study had been made public by the Ministry of Environment to support these claims.

He argued that plastic is a versatile and highly durable material that supports mankind in various endeavours across industries.

Ajayi-Kadir noted that the problem lies not with plastic itself, but with the failure of waste management systems. He said that banning SUPs without addressing structural waste collection issues would only replace one problem with another.

“MAN shares the global concern on the challenges created by plastic waste mismanagement. We recognise that a policy environment that enables circularity is indispensable in ending plastic pollution in Nigeria as a country and globally,” he said.

He criticised the decision-making process as non-inclusive and lacking proper consultation with stakeholders in the industry. According to him, sustainable solutions must focus on a life-cycle approach that considers human behaviour, environmental impact, and infrastructure.

Highlighting the potential of the recycling sector, Ajayi-Kadir said the global plastic recycling industry was valued at $55.71 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $114.18 billion by 2032. He urged the Lagos government to focus on expanding plastic waste collection and recycling infrastructure, including leasing land for large-scale sorting and recycling.

“Providing an enabling environment for expanding mechanical and chemical recycling in the state should be a major priority,” he said.

Ajayi-Kadir warned that enforcing a ban could disrupt supply chains and affect livelihoods, especially among informal workers and businesses relying on plastic packaging.

He added that manufacturers are already adapting to circular economy models, including exploring biodegradable materials, improving product design, and investing in cleaner disposal systems. But such efforts, he said, require access to circular feedstock and supportive policies.

“MAN will continue to work collaboratively with producer responsibility organisations as prescribed by the National Sectoral Regulations to fulfil our obligations across the country. It is therefore unhelpful and needlessly disruptive to introduce parallel arrangements in any state in the country,” the director-general added.