Nestlé Nigeria Unveils Multi-Stakeholder Coalition to Deepen Environmental Action Across 12 Locations

As part of activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day, Nestlé Nigeria has launched a broad-based coalition aimed at driving sustained environmental action and accelerating circular economy solutions across the country.

The initiative, which builds on six years of nationwide environmental awareness and clean-up campaigns, represents a strategic shift from isolated interventions to a coordinated, systems-driven approach involving government agencies, regulators, industry stakeholders, recyclers, development partners, and local communities.

The coalition will implement community sensitization and clean-up activities across 12 locations nationwide, with a focus on reducing waste leakage, strengthening collection systems, and promoting responsible waste management practices. The programme is also expected to support environmental awareness and improve waste recovery efforts, contributing to cleaner public spaces and healthier communities.

Speaking at the launch, Victoria Uwadoka, Lead Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, said the initiative was designed to move beyond awareness campaigns toward a more sustainable framework driven by shared responsibility.

“Waste management outcomes improve when intervention shifts from awareness alone to shared accountability across the value chain. This coalition is designed to connect policy, infrastructure, community action, and market-based recovery systems in a way that can deliver more durable environmental results,” she said.

According to the company, the coalition reinforces its commitment to plastics neutrality and responsible packaging while supporting stronger waste recovery systems and deeper collaboration across the plastics value chain. It also provides a scalable model for public-private partnerships in addressing environmental challenges.

Since 2019, Nestlé Nigeria has worked with stakeholders across the recycling value chain to strengthen plastic waste recovery and advance circular economy objectives. Through partnerships with organizations including Chanja Datti, Wecyclers, and MECOM, more than 60,000 metric tons of plastic waste have been recovered for recycling, helping to divert substantial volumes of waste from the environment and return them to productive use.

Beyond external partnerships, the company has also encouraged environmental responsibility among its workforce through its Employee Plastics Collection Scheme. Since its introduction in 2022, the initiative has recovered over 12,000 kilograms of plastic waste, fostering employee participation in sustainability efforts and promoting positive behavioural change.

The coalition brings together major institutions and stakeholders across the plastics and environmental management ecosystem, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

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

Support for the programme is also being provided by development partners such as the Swiss Consulate and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The initiative is being implemented by the African Clean-Up Initiative, with News Central serving as strategic media partner.

Representing the Honourable Minister of Environment at the event, Mrs. Olabimpe Adenaike, Controller of the Lagos Field Office of the Federal Ministry of Environment, described the coalition as a significant contribution to national environmental sustainability efforts.

“This initiative reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, community development, and responsible environmental practices. It aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to drive climate action and environmental safety. We commend Nestlé Nigeria and its partners for advancing environmental awareness, waste reduction, and climate resilience through collaborative action,” she said.

She further urged Nigerians to embrace proper waste management practices, recycling, and sustainable living as collective responsibilities necessary for building a cleaner, greener, and healthier nation.

As Nestlé Nigeria marks seven years of environmental stewardship, the 2026 World Environment Day initiative underscores the growing importance of collaboration in tackling environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development goals. Through stronger partnerships, improved waste recovery systems, and community engagement, the coalition seeks to create long-term environmental impact and strengthen Nigeria’s transition toward a circular economy.