MAN urges government to suspend proposed regulation, citing risk to jobs and small traders amid inflation concerns

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the federal government to halt plans for a nationwide ban on single-use plastics thinner than 80 microns, warning that the policy could increase operational costs and threaten jobs across Lagos State and beyond. The proposal, announced in June 2026, is part of the National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations 2026 driven by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

If approved, the ban would immediately affect lightweight nylon shopping bags, plastic straws, disposable cutlery, thin packaging films, and similar items commonly used by market traders and food vendors throughout Nigeria. The regulation also proposes new taxes on shopping bags between 30 and 50 microns. According to MAN’s Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir, manufacturers may be forced to overhaul machinery and absorb significant capital losses — costs likely to be passed on to consumers already battling high inflation.

Ajayi-Kadir stated in a written statement that while MAN supports environmental protection efforts, the current approach could disrupt businesses without delivering immediate ecological gains. “Small traders, food vendors and market operators who depend on affordable packaging would feel it most directly,” he said. MAN also cited international examples from Kenya, Bangladesh and India where outright bans led to factory closures and job losses but failed to eliminate banned products from informal markets.

The association urged government to consider alternative strategies such as Extended Producer Responsibility systems and investment in recycling infrastructure — models that have shown better results in countries like Germany, South Korea and the Netherlands. For everyday Nigerians, the experience from Lagos State’s earlier plastic ban at a lower threshold provides a glimpse: thin nylon bags from markets, plastic straws at restaurants, disposable cutlery with takeaway food, thin food wrapping films and lightweight supermarket bags could all disappear if the policy takes effect. However, sachet water packs and PET bottles are not expected to be affected immediately as they typically exceed the thickness threshold.

MAN has requested a comprehensive regulatory impact assessment before any new prohibition regime is introduced. The association called for full implementation of existing recycling programmes and broader stakeholder consultation to avoid unintended economic consequences. Government response is still pending as at press time.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/nigeria-proposed-plastic-ban-items-affected-2026061611233964035