Lagos officials, NCF urge stronger plastic waste action

NIGERIA — The Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) have renewed calls for collective action to curb plastic pollution, using the annual Walk for Nature on 1 November 2025 to spotlight the city’s growing waste challenge.

Officials said enforcement of the single-use plastics ban is now under way, alongside expanded programs such as the Lagos Waste Management Authority’s (LAWMA) Blue Box recycling initiative and broader waste-to-wealth schemes aimed at strengthening the local circular economy.

Nigeria generates around 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with Lagos accounting for roughly 870,000 tonnes, according to recent academic and industry data.

Recycling rates remain low, estimated in the low teens, while drainage channels and waterways are often blocked by discarded packaging, worsening flooding and endangering marine ecosystems.

At the Walk for Nature, environmental advocates warned that microplastics are increasingly entering the food chain, calling for stronger waste collection systems and a shift in consumer habits.

Enforcement of single-use plastics ban

Lagos officials confirmed that full enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics, including Styrofoam food packs and disposable containers, began earlier this year.

While compliance remains uneven due to cost pressures and limited access to alternatives, the state says inspections and penalties are being intensified to ensure wider adherence.

LAWMA continues to promote separation-at-source through its Blue Box Program, helping recyclers access cleaner feedstock and encouraging households to segregate waste for recovery.

Speakers also urged manufacturers and retailers to take greater responsibility under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks by redesigning packaging, financing collection systems, and scaling up take-back schemes.

The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Nigeria’s first Producer Responsibility Organization, has expanded its partnerships with major brands such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Nigerian Breweries, improving PET collection rates and creating jobs for waste pickers.

However, experts say that more consistent EPR funding and measurable targets are needed to achieve nationwide impact.

For packaging and FMCG companies operating in Nigeria’s commercial capital, the direction is clear: stricter enforcement, higher recyclability standards, and greater producer accountability.

As Lagos accelerates its fight against plastic pollution, companies that demonstrate strong recovery systems and sustainable packaging design will be best positioned to thrive in the evolving regulatory landscape.

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