Nestlé Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to environmental sustainability through a nationwide cleanup.
The company recently shared that the programme, which is in its 6th year, was carried out in partnership with the African Clean-Up Initiative and local authorities.
The cleanup efforts spanned 11 cities, with a major focus on high-footfall market hubs like Oke-Arin Market in Lagos, Utako Market in Abuja, Abubakar Rimi Market in Kano, Satellite Market in Jos, Sabo Market in Sagamu, Bodija Market in Ibadan, Okoko Market in Agbara, Abaji Market in Abaji, Holy Ghost Market in Enugu, Aguawka Market in Awka, and Mile 3 Market in Port Harcourt.
These locations were strategically picked because of their waste burden and community impact, and it resulted in the collective removal of 5,601 kilograms of solid and 379.2 kilograms of recyclable waste.
Speaking via a press statement, the Lead of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, emphasised the alignment of the initiative with the World Environment Day theme, “Curbing Plastic Pollution.”
According to her, Nestlé Nigeria mobilised about 516 Nestlé Cares volunteers from its head office, branch offices, and factories for the cleanup exercise across the nation.
Victoria insists that the company will keep battling against plastic waste because it aligns with its vision of a waste-free future for Nigeria.
She concluded by saying that in total, Nestlé Nigeria’s initiatives have successfully retrieved more than 61,000 metric tonnes of plastic from the environment since 2019
“At Nestlé, our commitment to fighting plastic waste is integral to our vision of a waste-free future. This vision encompasses internal accountability and proactive stakeholder engagement. Through strategic partnerships with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and plastic waste recyclers such as Alef Recycling, Wecyclers, Chanja Datti, and Maladase Ecopreneurs Management Ltd, we are supporting the advancement of circularity within the plastics value chain.
In addition, our Employee Plastics Collection Scheme, launched in 2022, empowers our employees to take responsibility for their environmental impact by recycling their plastic waste. Through the EPCS, we have achieved the diversion of 5,922 kg of plastic waste from landfills. Collectively, our initiatives have successfully retrieved over 61,000 metric tonnes of plastic from the environment since 2019,” she said.
