Targeting High-Impact Areas for Maximum Effect
The clean-up operations strategically focused on 11 cities, specifically targeting high-footfall market hubs known for their significant waste burden. These locations included prominent markets such as Oke-Arin Market in Lagos, Utako Market in Abuja, and Abubakar Rimi Market in Kano, among others. The selection of these sites underscores a deliberate approach to address areas where environmental intervention is most critical. This concerted effort yielded remarkable results, with volunteers collectively removing 5,601 kilograms of solid waste and an additional 379.2 kilograms of recyclable materials. This tangible outcome highlights the power of collaboration between corporations and communities in tackling environmental challenges.
Nestlé's Broader Vision for a Waste-Free Future
During the Lagos activation, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, Lead, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the initiative's strong alignment with World Environment Day's theme, "Curbing Plastic Pollution." She reiterated Nestlé's unwavering commitment to combating plastic waste, viewing it as fundamental to their vision of a waste-free future. This vision, she explained, encompasses both internal accountability and proactive engagement with external stakeholders.
Nestlé Nigeria actively participates in and supports the advancement of circularity within the plastics value chain through strategic partnerships. These include collaborations with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and leading plastic waste recyclers such as Alef Recycling, Wecyclers, Chanja Datti, and Maladase Ecopreneurs Management Ltd. (MECOM). Furthermore, Nestlé's internal Employee Plastics Collection Scheme (EPCS), launched in 2022, empowers employees to take personal responsibility for their environmental footprint by actively recycling their plastic waste. The EPCS alone has successfully diverted 5,922 kilograms of plastic waste from landfills. Collectively, since 2019, Nestlé's initiatives have retrieved over 61,000 metric tons of plastic from the environment, showcasing a significant impact on waste reduction.
A Movement Towards Environmental Consciousness
Dr. Alex Akhigbe, Founder of the African Clean-Up Initiative, articulated the profound vision behind this ongoing partnership. He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond a mere clean-up; it represents a comprehensive sustainability movement rooted in the principles of collective responsibility, collaboration, and the circular economy. Dr. Akhigbe stressed that combating plastic pollution requires deliberate and consistent action, noting that "Every bottle collected, every conversation initiated, contributes to shaping a culture of environmental consciousness." The ultimate goal, he stated, is to inspire a generation that truly values and actively protects our planet.
Setting a Model for Corporate-Community Impact
This annual clean-up campaign serves as a powerful testament to Nestlé Nigeria’s integrated approach to sustainability. It effectively merges operational accountability with meaningful grassroots engagement, demonstrating how corporate actions can stimulate community-driven impact. As Nestlé Nigeria continues to advance its broader sustainability agenda, initiatives like this stand as a model for shared responsibility in safeguarding environmental resources for both present and future generations. The Nestlé Cares platform, the company's employee volunteering program, plays a crucial role in this by actively engaging employees in community volunteerism and empowering them to make a positive impact in their local communities.
Nestlé Nigeria, recognized as Africa's leading food and beverage company, maintains a strong legacy of over 63 years in Nigeria. Beyond delivering quality and nutritious household brands, the firm is deeply committed to creating shared value by supporting communities near its operations and actively working to protect the environment through sustainable business practices.