The Lagos State Government has announced a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics with immediate effect.

This was announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, TOKUNBO WAHAB in a statement he signed.

According to WAHAB, the decision was reached following the menace which single-use plastics especially the non-biodegradable Styrofoam were causing on the environment.

He noted that most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains.

He reiterated that the larger chunk of littering across major roads and markets which Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) contends with daily is made up of styrofoam.

The Commissioner has subsequently directed LAWMA and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to immediately commence the implementation of the ban.

He advised producers, distributors, and end-users of these styrofoam packs to take the ban seriously and find alternatives or risk heavy fines, and other penalties including the sealing of their premises.

He also admonished consumers and residents to boycott styrofoam packs and single-use plastics.