The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has endorsed the Ogun State Government’s approach to plastic waste management, describing its ‘Blue Box’ and ‘Plastics for Cash’ initiatives as forward-thinking and economically inclusive. In contrast, MAN criticised Lagos State’s recent ban on single-use plastics, warning that such policies could disrupt livelihoods and hurt businesses in the plastic value chain.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said Ogun’s model offers a better balance between environmental sustainability and economic stability. He called the initiative a template worth replicating across Nigeria.
“The Ogun State Government’s initiatives are commendable for promoting recycling, reducing plastic waste, and creating income-generating opportunities through the plastics-to-wealth scheme,” Ajayi-Kadir stated.
He stressed that the programme aligns with MAN’s goal of encouraging sustainable production and environmental stewardship without harming existing businesses or displacing informal workers.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, had earlier highlighted the initiative during the 2025 World Environment Day celebration in Abeokuta. The ‘Plastics for Cash’ programme allows residents to exchange sorted plastic waste for money or consumer goods. This has created a fresh stream of income for informal waste collectors, especially women and youths.
Meanwhile, the ‘Blue Box’ initiative encourages structured household waste sorting. It is being implemented through the Ogun State Waste Management Authority to promote more effective recycling.
To further strengthen the effort, Ogun also launched a Plastic Management Committee made up of industry players, regulatory bodies, and universities. The committee has been tasked with advancing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) practices and introducing plastic buy-back systems that encourage producers to retrieve post-consumer plastic waste.
MAN praised this inclusive strategy, contrasting it with the policy in Lagos, which on July 1, 2025, began enforcing a ban on select single-use plastic products. According to Ajayi-Kadir, Lagos’ outright prohibition could have unintended consequences, especially for the informal sector and small businesses that rely on the production and sale of plastic items.
“Rather than a sudden and outright ban, progressive strategies that balance environmental sustainability with economic stability should be adopted,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
He pointed to examples from countries like Ghana, Egypt, and the United States, where authorities are investing in recycling infrastructure, education, and incentives for innovation, instead of banning plastic materials outright.
Ajayi-Kadir advised the Lagos State Government to revisit and fully implement some of its past waste management pilot programmes such as the Smart Bin and Blue Box initiatives. He said such solutions could yield better environmental results without risking job losses.
He added, “Sustainable solutions must be rooted in stakeholder engagement, scalable alternatives, and enabling infrastructure. The approach should not punish productivity but guide it towards circularity.”
MAN also said its surveys showed that about 89% of workers in the plastic value chain in Lagos have no alternative source of income. The association warned that the ban could severely impact those who depend on plastic-related businesses for survival.
“The problem is not plastic itself but the poor waste management infrastructure and weak enforcement that have allowed plastic pollution to get out of control,” Ajayi-Kadir explained. “We must work towards solutions that turn waste into wealth, not those that destroy jobs and shrink industrial growth.”
Lagos State has since responded to MAN’s criticism. The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Gaji Tajudeen, described the warnings as “cheap blackmail.” He insisted that the state had notified stakeholders of the ban as far back as 18 months ago.
Tajudeen said, “We have not stopped those bent on producing or distributing the listed items. You can sell elsewhere, but not in Lagos State. We will not allow it.” He maintained that the policy was aimed at encouraging sustainable practices and would open up new jobs in the green economy.
Despite the disagreement, both sides agree on one point: the need to address Nigeria’s growing plastic waste crisis. The debate remains how best to do it—through strict bans or structured, inclusive, and economically viable recycling models like the one being pioneered in Ogun State.
