Nestlé Nigeria Reinforces Commitment to Environmental Sustainability with Nationwide Clean-Up Initiative
For the sixth consecutive year, Nestlé Nigeria has demonstrated its dedication to environmental stewardship through a comprehensive countrywide clean-up and community awareness program. In partnership with the African Clean-Up Initiative (ACI) and local authorities, the company mobilized 516 Nestlé Cares volunteers from its headquarters, branches, and manufacturing facilities.
The campaign covered 11 key cities, targeting bustling market areas such as 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, Holyghost Market in Enugu, Aguawka Market in Awka, and Mile 3 Market in Port Harcourt. These locations were selected for their high waste generation and significant community impact, culminating in the collection of 5,601 kilograms of solid waste and 379.2 kilograms of recyclables. This effort exemplifies effective corporate-community collaboration to promote environmental health.
At the Lagos event, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, Lead of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the World Environment Day theme, “Curbing Plastic Pollution.” She stated, “Our commitment to combating plastic waste is central to our vision of a waste-free future. We actively foster internal accountability and partner with organizations like the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Alef Recycling, Wecyclers, Chanja Datti, and Maladase Ecopreneurs Management Ltd. to promote circularity in plastics. Since launching our Employee Plastics Collection Scheme (EPCS) in 2022, we’ve diverted over 5,922 kg of plastic waste from landfills, contributing to the retrieval of more than 61,000 metric tons of plastic since 2019.”
Dr. Alex Akhigbe, founder of ACI, emphasized that this initiative extends beyond cleaning efforts, representing a movement rooted in collective responsibility and sustainability. “This is about fostering a culture of environmental consciousness—every bottle collected and conversation initiated helps shape a future where we value and protect our planet,” he said.
Nestlé Nigeria’s annual clean-up underscores its integrated sustainability approach, combining operational accountability with grassroots engagement. Such initiatives serve as a model for corporate-led environmental action that inspires community-driven impact and underscores the shared responsibility to safeguard natural resources today and for future generations.
Nestlé Cares, the company’s employee volunteer platform, exemplifies its commitment to social and environmental responsibility by encouraging staff participation in community service projects, fostering a culture of positive impact.