Why Lagos Banned Styrofoam Use
According to the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the use of Styrofoam and singles-use plastics was banned in the due to health and environmental reasons.
The Lagos State government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Sunday, announced a ban on the use of styrofoam and single-use plastic in the state with immediate
The commissioner said that the decision was reached following the menace that single-use plastics, especially non-biodegradable styrofoam, were causing on the environment.
He said most drainage channels in the state were daily clogged up by styrofoams despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with humongous amounts.
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Giving reasons why styrofoams are “so dangerous” which informed the ban, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday stated in a post on its X handle that, besides being non-biodegradable, styrofoam is “very difficult to recycle and takes 500 years to decompose.”
“Styrofoam is the main pollutant of oceans and causes havoc on the marine life,” the agency stated.
According to the agency, styrofoam contains styrene, a chemical that is linked to causing cancer and Parkinson’s, among others.
It stated, “Styrofoam contains the chemical styrene, which has been linked to diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, vision and hearing loss, and impaired memory, among others.”
“Styrofoam is considered the fifth largest component of hazardous waste, and is considered the primary source of urban litter,” the agency added.
LASEPA encouraged residents to use alternatives to styrofoam such as paper packaging products, aluminum foil, reusable plastics, and bamboo products.
