A policy announcement by the Lagos State government banning single-use plastic in the state has got some Nigerians asking questions.

On Sunday afternoon, Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, disclosed the development in a post on his verified X handle.

“Following the menace which single-use plastics especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam are causing on the environment, the Lagos State government (@followlasg), through the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (@LasgMOE ), is hereby announcing a ban on the usage and distribution of Styrofoam and other single-use plastics in the state with immediate effect,” Wahab said on Sunday.

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Popularly known as take-away plates, Styrofoam is a non-biodegradable material that is in high use in the state. It remains a source of river blockage, with its resultant implications for the environment.

The commissioner’s tweet has been flooded with different comments by Nigerians on X, many of whom believe that recycling the waste is a better option.

@oficialndifreke said, “How do we manage takeaways then? I’m not an expert here but isn’t recycling a more viable option if possible?

@oOluwafemi_sysad said, “There is a bigger problem which is waste disposal. Banning this wouldn’t entirely solve that for you.”

@BolajiOyebode reacted, “Why not create means to effectively recycle these things?”

A user identified as @_MrDewa queried the implementation of the policy. “”Immediate effect“. In a democracy, decisions are not made without consideration. There are genuine business owners that have this in stock, and there are manufacturers that produce this as a business. Shouldn’t this be phased out?“

While some believe recycling is the best, others welcome the development.

The announcement excited @davidtwtz. “Nylon, polymers, pure water sachets and co. need to follow this. This is a national issue, hope the federal government follows this direction,” he said.

@lakaas123 welcomed the ban and said that the chemical composition was not safe for human consumption. “Styrofoam contains the neurotoxins styrene and benzene, which are widely accepted to be carcinogenic. These two neurotoxins and benzene are not safe for human consumption. Kudos, HC. Banning is actually the right thing to do.

READ ALSO: REPORT: Residents Rank Lagos as Second Most Polluted City in Africa

Meanwhile, FIJ recently reported that Lagos residents ranked the state as the second most polluted city in Africa; the first being Cairo in Egypt.

Factors considered in the ranking were air and water pollution, garbage disposal, noise and light pollution, and cleanliness.