The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has warned that the  proposed ban, as from July 1, this year, of single-use plastics (SUPs), by the Lagos State government may lead to job losses, with dire consequences for the nation’s economy.

 

Giving the warning in a statement signed by   its Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir,  the association expressed its reservation regarding the ban, since it believed the state government’s decision  was not informed by credible data.

 

 

While reiterating its earlier position on the issue, the association stated that implementing a ban at this time would be out  of tune with the reality of the nation’s socio-economic situation, and,  therefore, be bereft of more ingenious and beneficial solutions.

 

 

MAN stated that while the decision was  predicated on the unsubstantiated claim  that  plastics, especially some single-use plastics (SUPs), are associated with adverse health and environmental impact, and therefore should be banned, it however insisted that such claim was yet to be substantiated by the Ministry of Environment.

 

 

“On the contrary, plastic is indeed a versatile and highly durable material that is supporting mankind in various endeavours across industries. It is the failure of management of plastic waste that may result in adverse environmental and social impacts,” it added.

 

 

The group insisted that while it shares  global concerns on the challenges created by plastic waste mismanagement, and therefore recognized the need for  a policy environment that enables circularity,  it however believed that the approach to achieving circularity in the plastic system must  be life-cycle oriented.

 

 

The association therefore faulted  the process for the pronouncement on the ban on SUPs in Lagos State, by the state government, on the ground that it was not inclusive.

 

” It began with the development of the draft Lagos State Plastic Waste Management Policy (LSPWMP) 202, 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).

 

 

“It is important to note that there was no participatory consultation or social dialogue about the challenges of the industry and everyday users of these items preceding the announcement of these bans.

 

“The industry was not given a room for any form of discussion on the challenges that could be associated with the ban and how to mitigate them.

 

“The ban focuses on the easiest approach to address the issue of plastic pollution rather than the most sustainable approach that gives balanced attention to social, economic, and environmental considerations,” the association stated.

 

It argued that addressing SUP waste mismanagement through a ban would not bring about a lasting solution; but would only be a replacement of the polluting material.