Nestlé Nigeria Unveils Multi-Stakeholder Coalition to Deepen Environmental Sustainability Efforts

Nestlé Nigeria Unveils Multi-Stakeholder Coalition to Deepen Environmental Sustainability Efforts

LAGOS – Nestlé Nigeria has launched a multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at driving sustained environmental action across the country as part of activities marking the 2026 World Environment Day, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and circular economy practices.

The initiative, which builds on six years of nationwide environmental awareness and clean-up campaigns, signals a strategic shift from standalone interventions to a coordinated, systems-driven approach involving government agencies, regulators, industry stakeholders, recyclers, development partners, and local communities. The programme will be implemented across 12 locations nationwide through community sensitization and clean-up exercises.

According to the company, the coalition is designed to advance sustainable and resilient communities by reducing waste leakage, strengthening waste collection systems, and scaling circular economy solutions through collaborative action. The programme will also promote environmental awareness, support waste recovery efforts, and encourage responsible waste management practices in participating communities.

Speaking at the launch, Victoria Uwadoka, Lead, Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in achieving lasting environmental outcomes.

“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.

Nestlé Nigeria noted that since 2019, its partnerships with organizations including Chanja Datti, Wecyclers, and MECOM have facilitated the recovery of more than 60,000 metric tons of plastic waste for recycling. The recovered materials have been redirected into productive use, helping to reduce environmental pollution and support circular economy objectives.

The company also highlighted its internal Employee Plastics Collection Scheme, launched in 2022, which has recovered over 12,000 kilograms of plastic waste while encouraging employee participation in sustainable environmental practices.

The coalition brings together key stakeholders across the plastics value chain, 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 organizations involved 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).

Development partners supporting the initiative include the Swiss Consulate and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The programme is being implemented by the African Clean-Up Initiative and supported by media partner News Central.

Representing the Minister of Environment at the launch, Mrs. Olabimpe Adenaike, Controller, Lagos Field Office of the Federal Ministry of Environment, commended the initiative for aligning with national environmental and climate action objectives.

“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 also urged Nigerians to embrace proper waste disposal, recycling, and sustainable living practices in support of efforts to create a cleaner, greener, and healthier environment.

As Nestlé Nigeria marks its seventh year of environmental stewardship, the company said the 2026 World Environment Day initiative underscores its commitment to strengthening waste recovery systems, promoting responsible packaging, achieving plastics neutrality, and fostering broad-based collaboration to address environmental challenges across Nigeria.