Nestlé Nigeria Strengthens Environmental Commitment With Nationwide Cleanup Drive
Nestlé Nigeria has reinforced its dedication to environmental sustainability through its sixth annual nationwide cleanup and community awareness campaign.
In a statement released on Monday, the company revealed that the initiative was carried out in partnership with the African Clean-Up Initiative and local government authorities.
A total of 516 Nestlé Cares volunteers—from the company’s headquarters, regional offices, and manufacturing plants—participated in the cleanup efforts conducted across multiple cities in Nigeria.
The campaign targeted 11 major cities and high-traffic market areas, including 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 sites were chosen for their high waste generation and potential community impact. The efforts led to the removal of 5,601 kilograms of solid waste and 379.2 kilograms of recyclable materials—underscoring the effectiveness of public-private collaboration in driving environmental change.
Speaking during the Lagos segment of the campaign, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, noted that the project aligns with the World Environment Day theme, “Curbing Plastic Pollution.”
“At Nestlé, tackling plastic waste is central to our vision of a waste-free future. We prioritize internal responsibility while actively engaging with stakeholders,” Uwadoka said. “Through our partnerships with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and recyclers like Alef Recycling, Wecyclers, Chanja Datti, and Maladase Ecopreneurs Management Ltd, we are advancing plastic circularity.”
She also highlighted the company’s Employee Plastics Collection Scheme (EPCS), launched in 2022, which encourages staff to recycle plastic waste. To date, the scheme has diverted 5,922 kilograms of plastic waste from landfills. Overall, Nestlé Nigeria has recovered over 61,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste from the environment since 2019.
Dr. Alex Akhigbe, founder of the African Clean-Up Initiative, praised the partnership’s broader impact. “This is more than a cleanup—it’s a sustainability movement rooted in shared responsibility and the circular economy,” he said. “Every bottle collected and every awareness effort helps build a culture that values environmental stewardship. We aim to inspire a generation that protects our planet.”
This annual effort highlights Nestlé Nigeria’s holistic sustainability strategy, combining corporate responsibility with community engagement.
Nestlé Nigeria, a leading food and beverage company in Africa, has been operating in Nigeria for over 63 years.