Shoppers at the different outlets of a popular retail store, Shoprite, in Lagos are gradually adjusting to its decision to stop providing nylon bags to customers.
Shoprite, on January 1, stopped providing nylon bags to customers in line with the Lagos State Government’s ban on single-use plastics.
The new policy aims to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
As part of the strategies adopted by customers, our correspondent who visited the retail store’s Ikeja outlet located inside the Ikeja City Mall on Saturday saw shoppers with a few items conveying them with bare hands to their vehicles in the car park.
Some other shoppers who were not ready to buy bags were also seen using the store’s trolleys to convey their purchased items to their vehicles without nylon bags and subsequently loading them directly into their car trunks.
According to a public notice displayed at the store, which was sighted on Saturday, Shoprite has also ceased offering other single-use plastic items, including plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and Styrofoam packaging.
The notice read, “In support of the Lagos State Government’s ban on single-use plastics, we will no longer provide the following items in our store: plastic straws, nylon bags, plastic cutleries, Styrofoam packs. Let’s reduce plastic waste and protect our environment.”
The retail giant has encouraged customers to bring their own reusable bags when shopping.
“You can help by bringing your reusable bags,” the notice further emphasized.
For those without reusable bags, Shoprite Ikeja is offering a Bagco super sack for purchase.
Customers are urged to take part in the effort to reduce plastic waste.
“Please, remember to bring your reusable bags,” the notice reminded shoppers.
This move follows the Lagos State Government’s directive, which mandates the reduction of single-use plastic consumption across the state.
A cashier with the retail store told PUNCH Online that officials of the state government have been visiting the outlet to monitor compliance.
PUNCH Online reports that the Lagos State Government announced plans to ban the circulation of single-use plastics, and sachet water, among others from January 2025.
The government had also in January 2024 banned the use of styrofoam in all government establishments and across the metropolis in general, following the increasing prevalence of plastic waste and its negative effect on the environment in recent years.
Confirming the ban, at a stakeholders’ workshop and awareness on the implementation of the ban on the usage of Styrofoam and SUPs for packaging in Lagos, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that the ban set to commence from January 2025, is part of measures by the state government to put in place policy guidelines for plastic utility in further ensuring a sustainable management of plastic waste, healthy and safe environment.
