The Lagos State Government has justified the sale of packing bags in certain malls across the state.
According to reports, some residents have expressed concerns over being charged for packing bags, following the recent ban on single-use plastics.
In a recent interview with our correspondent, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Olawale Rotimi-Akodu, explained that the sale of packaging materials in malls is a common practice in many developed countries.
He stressed that the initiative aligns with the state’s efforts to meet global standards and transform Lagos into a modern, sustainable city.
He maintained that the idea would discourage wastage and encourage the reuse of those materials by those who paid for them.
Akodu explained that purchasing the bags in any mall is optional, noting that customers had the right to bring their packing bags from home.
“It’s an optional thing. You have the option of bringing your own from your house. You can have it in your car and take it to the mall to contain your items.
“All over the world – Europe, America, or Asia, this is what is obtainable. When you get to the mall or grocery stores, they will show you different categories of packing bags and their costs.
“The whole idea is just to try to change the culture. The malls are only helping to provide gaps. The gap is that people may not want to come with bags so they quickly make business out of that. If you can go with your bag, they have no benefit,” the adviser explained.
Officials from the environmental agency in the state, popularly known as KAI, confiscated packs of nylons in some markets on Lagos Island on Thursday, as the state intensifies enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics.
The state began full-scale enforcement of its ban on single-use plastics below 40 microns, with effect from Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
The move, aimed at tackling environmental degradation and promoting sustainable living, targets Styrofoam food packs, plastic straws, lightweight nylon bags, disposable cups, and plastic cutlery.
The government, through the Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, announced that any business found storing, selling, or distributing these items would be sealed and offenders would also face penalties in line with Lagos’ environmental regulations.