The Lagos State Government, yesterday, called on residents to embrace the circular economy model as a sustainable solution to plastic waste, warning that poor plastic management poses serious health and environmental risks, including cancer and flooding.
The Director of Sanitation Services, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Hassan Sanuth, made this known at an awareness raising public seminar on circular economy and resource efficiency under the UNIDO project themed, ‘Promoting Sustainable Plastic Value Chains through Circular Economy Practices’.
He explained that the programme was organised to raise consciousness among students, traders and other stakeholders on the importance of effective waste management, particularly plastic waste.
“Today’s programme is to create awareness on the importance of effective waste management, especially using circular economy as a tool. It provides economic opportunities for residents and helps government achieve environmental sanitation and protection,” he said.
Sanuth said beyond environmental benefits, the circular economy approach; focused on reducing, reusing and recycling materials, can generate additional income and employment opportunities for residents.
Emphasising on the dangers of plastic pollution, he noted that some plastic materials contain chemical components which, under certain conditions such as heat exposure, may release substances linked to cancer.
“Most of these plastics have components that, under degradation, produce chemicals that have been alleged to be cancer-causing agents. People may not even know the temperature at which they are using these materials and the risks they are exposed to,” he said.
The director further warned that indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste contributes significantly to blocked drainage systems, leading to flooding, destruction of property and, in some cases, loss of lives. In marine environments, he added, plastic pollution has resulted in the death of aquatic animals and fish.
On the government’s policy direction, Sanuth reiterated that the state has banned certain plastic materials while restricting others under regulated frameworks such as extended producer responsibility.
He stressed the need for residents to be aware of what is prohibited, what is restricted and how permitted materials should be properly managed.
“For sustainability, people must be aware of government policies; what is banned, what should not be used and how allowed materials should be handled. Government has also put in place effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. There must be consequences for non-compliance,” he stated.
The director urged residents to adopt circular economy principles in their daily lives.
“Buy what you can reuse. Reduce your use of plastic. Reuse and recycle your plastic. When you extend the life cycle of plastic through recycling, you reduce pollution and can even create economic value from it,” he said.
Speaking to journalists, the Director of Partnership, Grant Management and Innovation, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mrs. Olabisi Shonibare, noted that the government has intensified enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics, sealing non-compliant facilities and imposing fines on violators.
She stressed that the government would not hesitate to sanction individuals and companies that contravene the law.
“The law is a law. Nobody is above it. Where there is a contravention, there are repercussions. Facilities are sealed and fines are imposed depending on the level of infraction,” she said.
She explained that while the state has banned certain categories of single-use plastics, the government alone cannot drive the transition to environmentally friendly alternatives without collaboration from private sector players and residents.
“Government cannot do it alone. That is why we partner with private organisations and manufacturers, advocating for alternatives to replace the single-use plastics that have been banned,” she said.
Addressing concerns over the continued use of plastic cups and other disposable plastic items in some quarters, she noted that enforcement remains ongoing, particularly targeting facilities that fail to comply with the regulations.
According to her, the state is also encouraging manufacturers to develop and distribute sustainable alternatives to reduce reliance on harmful plastic products.
Shonibare emphasised personal responsibility in protecting the environment.
“We are all government. We must begin to take responsibility for our actions. You have a responsibility to your environment and to your health. Improper disposal of plastics is harmful, it affects your health and the environment. We must all begin to do the right thing and pass the message across,” she said.
Earlier in his remarks, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, called for collective action to build a safer and healthier environment. Heurged participants to engage in meaningful discussions and collaborate on practical strategies that would drive sustainable development.
He also emphasised the importance of partnership and knowledge-sharing in advancing sustainability goals.
In his remarks, Charles Uzoma, the Project Field Coordinator, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), expressed concern that plastic consumption in Nigeria has surged rapidly, but collection, segregation, and recycling systems have not kept pace, resulting in widespread environmental leakage.
He noted that Nigeria’s economic hub and megacity, offers a prime opportunity to pilot scalable solutions, adding that the circular economy model, will be a holistic approach to designing, using, recovering, and reusing plastics to keep them in productive cycles longer.
