Nestlé Nigeria’s Nationwide Cleanup Campaign: A Multifaceted Approach to Environmental Sustainability
Nestlé Nigeria, a prominent food and beverage company with a longstanding presence in Africa, has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability through its sixth annual nationwide cleanup and community sensitization campaign. This year’s initiative, executed in partnership with the African Clean-Up Initiative and local authorities, focused on tackling the pervasive issue of plastic pollution, aligning with the World Environment Day theme of "Curbing Plastic Pollution." The campaign’s comprehensive approach combines on-the-ground cleanup efforts with broader strategies aimed at fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and promoting a circular economy for plastics.
The cleanup exercise involved the mobilization of 516 Nestlé Cares volunteers from the company’s head office, branch offices, and factories across Nigeria. These dedicated volunteers targeted 11 major market hubs known for their high foot traffic and significant waste generation. The selected locations included bustling markets in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Sagamu, Ibadan, Agbara, Abaji, Enugu, Awka, and Port Harcourt. The strategic selection of these high-impact areas maximized the campaign’s effectiveness, resulting in the collection of 5,601 kilograms of solid waste and 379.2 kilograms of recyclable waste, showcasing the tangible benefits of collaborative efforts between corporations and communities.
Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to tackling plastic waste extends beyond immediate cleanup activities. The company has embraced a holistic approach that encompasses internal accountability, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships to drive meaningful change within the plastics value chain. Partnerships with organizations like the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and plastic waste recyclers such as Alef Recycling, Wecyclers, Chanja Datti, and Maladase Ecopreneurs Management Ltd, are instrumental in advancing the circularity of plastics. These collaborations ensure that collected plastic waste is effectively channeled into recycling streams, reducing the burden on landfills and promoting resource efficiency.
Furthermore, Nestlé Nigeria recognizes the importance of empowering its employees to become active participants in environmental stewardship. The Employee Plastics Collection Scheme (EPCS), launched in 2022, encourages employees to recycle their plastic waste, fostering a sense of individual responsibility and contributing to the company’s overall sustainability goals. Through this initiative, Nestlé Nigeria has successfully diverted 5,922 kg of plastic waste from landfills, showcasing the potential for employee-driven sustainability programs.
Nestlé Nigeria’s comprehensive approach to plastic waste management has yielded significant results. Since 2019, the company’s various initiatives have collectively retrieved over 61,000 metric tons of plastic from the environment, demonstrating a tangible impact on reducing plastic pollution. This achievement underscores the company’s dedication to creating a waste-free future and its commitment to proactively addressing the global plastic waste challenge.
The African Clean-Up Initiative, a key partner in Nestlé Nigeria’s cleanup campaign, emphasizes the broader significance of this collaborative effort. Dr. Alex Akhigbe, the founder of the initiative, highlights that the campaign goes beyond a simple cleanup exercise; it represents a sustainability movement rooted in the principles of collective responsibility, collaboration, and the circular economy. The partnership aims to inspire a cultural shift towards environmental consciousness, encouraging individuals and communities to take ownership of their environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet. Every bottle collected and every conversation initiated plays a role in shaping a future where plastic pollution is significantly reduced.
Nestlé Nigeria’s annual cleanup campaign exemplifies the company’s integrated approach to sustainability. By combining operational accountability with grassroots engagement, Nestlé Nigeria is fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and demonstrating its commitment to creating a more sustainable future for Nigeria and beyond. This multi-pronged approach, which includes direct action, strategic partnerships, employee engagement, and community sensitization, positions Nestlé Nigeria as a leader in corporate sustainability, contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment for present and future generations. The company’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship serves as a model for other organizations seeking to integrate sustainability into their core operations and create a positive impact on the planet and society.
