Nestlé Nigeria Plc has intensified efforts to ensure environmental sustainability with a nationwide clean-up and sensitisation campaign to commemorate the 2025 World Environment Day.
The commitment was made in a statement by the founder of the African Clean-Up Initiative, Dr Alex Akhigbe.
The statement was issued by the Lead for Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, on Monday in Lagos.
Akhigbe said the exercise was held simultaneously across 11 cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Sagamu, Ibadan, Agbara, Abaji, Enugu, Awka and Port Harcourt.
He said the initiative was carried out in collaboration with the African Clean-Up Initiative and the local government partners.
“The clean-up activities targeted major market areas with high levels of foot traffic and waste generation such as Oke-Arin Market in Lagos, Utako Market in Abuja and Abubakar Rimi Market in Kano, among others.
“The campaign resulted in the removal of 5,601 kilogrammes of solid waste and 379.2 kilogrammes of recyclable waste, underscoring the impact of community-based waste management efforts,” he said.
The founder said the initiative aligns with the 2025 World Environment Day theme: “Curbing Plastic Pollution.”
“At Nestlé, our commitment to tackling plastic waste is a key part of our vision for a waste-free future.
“We are working with partners such as the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and recyclers, including Alef Recycling, Wecyclers, Chanja Datti, and Maladase Ecopreneurs Management Ltd. to enhance the plastics value chain.
“Our Employee Plastics Collection Scheme, introduced in 2022, has diverted over 5,900 kilogrammes of plastic waste from landfills. Since 2019, our initiatives have retrieved over 61,000 metric tonnes of plastic from the environment,” he said.
He said the partnership with Nestlé Nigeria highlights the importance of collaboration in advancing environmental sustainability.
“This goes beyond clean-up. It is about instilling a culture of environmental responsibility and building a circular economy.
“Every piece of plastic removed, every engagement made, is a step toward protecting our planet.
“This reflects a broader sustainability agenda, combining operational responsibility with community engagement to foster environmental awareness and action at the grassroots level.
“Nestlé Cares is the firm’s employee volunteering programme designed to promote social and environmental impact through community service.
“Through various projects, Nestlé Cares empowers employees to make a positive impact in their local communities,” he said. (NAN)