Nestlé Nigeria has marked seven years of environmental action with the launch of a multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at strengthening waste management, plastic recovery and circular economy efforts across Nigeria.

The initiative, launched as part of activities for 2026 World Environment Day, builds on six years of nationwide environmental awareness and clean-up campaigns by the company.

The new coalition brings together government agencies, regulators, private sector players, recyclers and development partners to promote a more coordinated approach to tackling waste and improving environmental sustainability.

The 2026 programme will be implemented across 12 locations nationwide, with community sensitisation and clean-up activities designed to encourage responsible waste management and reduce the amount of waste entering the environment.

The initiative is focused on strengthening waste collection and recovery systems, increasing environmental awareness and supporting the adoption of circular solutions within participating communities.

Nestlé Nigeria said the coalition also reinforces its commitment to plastics neutrality and responsible packaging, while promoting greater collaboration across the plastics value chain.

Moving Beyond Awareness

Speaking at the launch, Victoria Uwadoka, Lead Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nestlé Nigeria, said stronger environmental outcomes require collective responsibility across the entire value chain.

She explained that the coalition was created to connect policy, infrastructure, community participation and market-based recovery systems in order to achieve more sustainable results.

According to her, the focus is shifting from awareness campaigns alone to a model built around shared accountability and coordinated action.

Over 60,000 Tonnes of Plastic Recovered

Nestlé Nigeria said that over the past six years, it has worked with partners across the plastics value chain to improve plastic waste recovery and support circular economy initiatives.

Since 2019, the company’s collaborations with organisations including Chanja Datti, Wecyclers and MECOM have helped recover more than 60,000 metric tonnes of plastic for recycling.

The company has also introduced an internal Employee Plastics Collection Scheme, which has recovered more than 12,000kg of plastic since 2022.

Nestlé said the scheme has helped promote employee participation in responsible waste management while encouraging behavioural change within the organisation.

Government, Industry and Development Partners Join

The coalition includes major institutions across Nigeria’s plastics and environmental management sector.

They include the Federal Ministry of Environment, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Industry platforms participating in the initiative include the National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP), Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Circular Economy Innovation Partnership (CEIP) and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN).

The programme is also supported by development partners including the Swiss Consulate and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Implementation is being led by the African Clean-Up Initiative, while News Central is supporting the programme through a strategic media partnership.

Ministry Commends Initiative

Representing the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Olabimpe Adenaike, Controller, Lagos Field Office, Federal Ministry of Environment, commended Nestlé Nigeria and its partners for the initiative.

She said the programme supports the government’s environmental sustainability, climate action and community development objectives.

Adenaike urged Nigerians to embrace proper waste disposal, recycling and sustainable lifestyles as part of efforts to build a cleaner and healthier environment.

As Nestlé Nigeria enters its seventh year of environmental stewardship, the company said the 2026 initiative represents a shift from individual environmental interventions towards broader collaboration aimed at achieving lasting impact.

Media Contact:
Toju Egbebi
Corporate Affairs Manager
Email: Corporate.Communications@ng.nestlé.com