Coalition recovers 4.5 tonnes of waste in nationwide environmental exercise

Mercy Iheoma Ihedigbo

A coalition led by Nestlé Nigeria has completed a nationwide environmental sensitisation and clean-up campaign across 12 locations to commemorate the 2026 World Environment Day, mobilising hundreds of volunteers and community members to promote responsible waste management and environmental sustainability.

The campaign, which took place simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja, Agbara, Jos, Kano, Enugu, Awka, Ota, Abaji, Sagamu, Port Harcourt and Ibadan, brought together 424 volunteers from Nestlé Cares, the company’s employee volunteering programme, alongside participants from 15 partner organisations.

According to the organisers, the coordinated exercise resulted in the recovery of 4,507.8 kilograms of solid waste and 48.2 kilograms of recyclable materials. Reports from the African Clean-Up Initiative (ACI) and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN) indicated that the recovered waste was properly sorted and channelled through approved recycling and disposal processes, helping to reduce environmental pollution and improve public sanitation.

Speaking on the initiative, Lead Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, said lasting environmental progress can only be achieved when communities actively participate in protecting their surroundings.

She noted that beyond the volume of waste collected, the commitment demonstrated by volunteers, partners and residents underscored the importance of collective ownership in addressing environmental challenges.

According to her, meaningful environmental change is often driven by communities working together through simple but consistent actions.

The nationwide campaign combined environmental clean-up with public sensitisation, encouraging residents to adopt responsible waste disposal practices while strengthening awareness of sustainable environmental management.

The initiative was implemented through a broad partnership involving government agencies, regulators, industry associations, development partners and recycling organisations to ensure alignment with Nigeria’s environmental sustainability agenda.

At the Abuja event, the Honourable Minister of Environment was represented by the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health Department in the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Adeola Omotunde.

She stressed that tackling environmental challenges requires sustained commitment from government, the private sector and local communities, describing the campaign as an example of how collaboration can deliver measurable environmental impact.

Also speaking, the representative of the Country Manager of the National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP), Mrs. Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, described plastic pollution as a national challenge that demands coordinated action.

She commended the initiative for bringing together communities, development partners and the private sector in support of circular economy solutions capable of generating both environmental and economic benefits.

Nestlé Nigeria said the exercise reflects its commitment to creating shared value by working with partners and stakeholders to promote cleaner environments, improve waste recovery systems and advance circular economy practices across the country.

The company reaffirmed its resolve to continue supporting collaborative initiatives that encourage sustainable waste management and environmental stewardship in communities nationwide.
Nestlé Nigeria is one of the country’s leading food and beverage companies, producing brands including Nestle Purelife, Golden Morn, Milo, Maggi and Nescafe.

The company says it remains committed to improving quality of life through nutrition, sustainability and responsible business practices.