MAN urges Lagos State Government to reconsider its planned ban on single-use plastics

• Advocates plastic waste management via enabling environment for expanding mechanical and or chemical recycling in the State.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is urging the Lagos State Government to reconsider its planned ban on single-use plastics, set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

MAN argues that the ban lacks sufficient data, stakeholder consultation, and could lead to job losses and economic hardship and instead, they propose an evidence-based approach that strengthens recycling infrastructure and supports sustainable alternatives.

A statement signed by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, mni, Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria reiterates the Association’s position earlier position that this decision was not informed by credible data, adding “It is out of tune with the reality of our socio-economic situation, and is bereft of more ingenious and beneficial solutions. Quite importantly, the proposed ban is riddled with needless, potentially adverse economic and social impacts on the State and the Country.”

MAN believes the ban is not supported by adequate data and that stakeholder consultations were insufficient, and that the ban will lead to job losses, disruptions to supply chains, and negative impacts on women-led businesses and low-income traders.

DG MAN posited that “the process for the pronouncement on the ban on SUPs in Lagos State was not inclusive. It began with the development of the draft Lagos State Plastic Waste Management Policy (LSPWMP) 2020, requesting that manufacturers should mandatorily subscribe to the creation of a Lagos State Plastic Waste Fund, a complete duplication of the Extended Producer Responsibility Programme being concurrently implemented. This is evidenced by about 40 members of the Association already subscribed to the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA).”

He stated further that the global plastic recycling industry was valued at USD 55.71 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 114.18 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3% between 2025 and 2032.

According to him, providing an enabling environment for expanding mechanical and or chemical recycling in the State should be a major priority, adding that the current plastic packaging recycling rate in Nigeria is estimated at less than 15%, while comparatively, the percentage of plastic packaging recycling values in the United Kingdom and Germany were 52.5% and 68.9%, respectively, as of 2023.

The statement stressed that the State Governments need to support improved plastic recycling with infrastructure, especially the leasing of lands as dumpsites for sorting at scale to enable recyclers access plastic feedstocks.

Ajayi-Kadir explained that a hundred percent (100%) of the manufacturers consulted expressed concern over a ban-induced workforce restructuring thus: “Over eighty-nine (89%) of operators in the plastic value chain depend on the trade of these SUPs as their main source of income, with no alternative source of livelihoods, thus indicating that there will be potential loss of livelihoods on the part of these dealers and their staff.

“Disruptions of the organization’s supply chains, as end-users highlighted their strong dependence on plastic packaging, with more than 75% relying on SUPs, since there are no affordable and commercially available alternatives to the use of these SUPs for the trading of food and other items.

“Dealers, mostly women-led businesses, reported lack of clarity on the policy, with 93% noting that there is inadequate information on the plan to ban or any form of social protection provided to them to absorb the impact of the ban.

“Recyclers decried that it will lead to a further reduction in the availability of feedstock for their recycling plants.”

He underscored the other obvious consequences that will be associated with the ban to include: “Loss of revenue, including export earnings: Many of the manufacturers of these products have their facilities in Lagos but sell their products in other States and export to neighbouring African countries. Export earnings will be lost, and the supply chain of the dependent industry in those States and other countries will also be disrupted.

“Compromises to product integrity: The availability and affordability of sustainable alternatives to SUPs, such as paper and other compostable materials such as kenaf, lignin, are currently limited and quite expensive for businesses. A rushed transition could lead to compromises on product integrity, and this will lead to increased costs for consumers and businesses alike, thus increasing the economic hardship within the State.”

He cited the reason why plastic production is not on a global decline and investments in the sector are increasing at the global level, noting that the Government of Canada at both the federal and provincial levels is supporting Dow Chemical’s $8.9bn Path2Zero petrochemical plant project in Alberta, Canada with financial incentives as high as $1.8 billion, and also contributing up to $400 million through its carbon capture, utilization, and storage investment tax credit and clean hydrogen investment tax credit to the project.

He opined that Nigeria, as a major producer of crude oil, should not be destroying its petrochemical industry with ban on plastics, but rather seek to close the loop by ensuring that all plastics are recycled.

DG MAN affirmed that the plastic industry sector under the membership of the Association is therefore committed to transitioning to newer business models, fostering expansion in mechanical and chemical recycling, exploring the production of plastic from biomass and captured carbon, while adopting cleaner disposal systems.

He pledged that the Association and its members will continue to work collaboratively with Producer Responsibility Organizations as prescribed by the National Sectoral Regulations to fulfil our obligations across the Country, adding that it is unhelpful and needlessly disruptive to introduce parallel arrangements in any State in the Country.

A systems-oriented approach, the Association said is relevant to achieving circularity in all products, plastics inclusive and therefore advocate for a balanced strategy comprising: “Evidence-Based Policymaking: Policy must be driven by comprehensive, context-specific data. The current ban lacks adequate empirical grounding and risks unintended consequences for the economy.

“Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: Government should adopt a consultative process, ensuring the perspectives of manufacturers, traders, waste managers, and consumers are integrated into policy design.

“Support for Local Alternatives and Infrastructure: Invest in local production of sustainable materials, recycling plants, and improved waste collection systems to build a truly circular economy.

“Collaborative Governance: Policies should be co-created with the private sector to ensure that implementation aligns with industry realities and market readiness.

“Deflection of Misleading Narratives: The government must be wary of adopting external policy frameworks without indigenous contextual adaptation. Nigeria requires locally relevant and inclusive environmental reforms.”

Ajayi-Kadir submitted that a ban on plastic is a move in the wrong direction and should be discontinued.

“MAN reiterates its commitment to work collaboratively with the public sector to create policies that allow manufacturing to thrive. We support the environmental intent of plastic waste management, we however believe this can only be achieved through policies that are inclusive, evidence-based, and sustainably implemented,” the statement emphasized.