Nestlé Nigeria has unveiled a new multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and strengthening circular economy practices across the country as part of activities marking World Environment Day 2026.
The initiative represents a major step in the company’s environmental efforts and builds on six years of environmental awareness campaigns and community clean-up exercises conducted nationwide. According to Nestlé Nigeria, the coalition is designed to bring together government institutions, regulators, private sector players, recyclers, development partners, and local communities to address Nigeria’s growing waste management challenges through a coordinated and long-term approach.
The programme will be carried out in 12 locations across the country and will include environmental sensitisation campaigns and community clean-up exercises. These activities are intended to encourage responsible waste disposal, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable environmental practices among residents.
Nestlé Nigeria explained that the coalition is focused on improving waste collection systems, expanding recycling opportunities, and supporting circular economy solutions that ensure waste materials are recovered and reused instead of ending up in landfills or polluting the environment.
Speaking during the launch, Victoria Uwadoka, Lead Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, said the initiative signals a shift from simple awareness campaigns to a broader model built on collaboration and shared responsibility.
According to her, effective waste management requires cooperation from every stakeholder involved in the plastics value chain. She noted that the coalition seeks to connect government policies, waste management infrastructure, community participation, and recycling systems in a way that delivers long-lasting environmental benefits.
Uwadoka added that the programme supports Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to achieving plastics neutrality and promoting responsible packaging practices. She also described the initiative as a practical example of how public and private sector organisations can work together to address environmental issues and create sustainable solutions.
Highlighting the company’s achievements in environmental stewardship, Nestlé Nigeria revealed that it has recovered more than 60,000 metric tons of plastic waste for recycling since 2019 through partnerships with organisations such as Chanja Datti, Wecyclers, and MECOM. These efforts have helped reduce plastic pollution while ensuring that recyclable materials are returned to productive use.
The company also noted that its Employee Plastics Collection Scheme, introduced in 2022, has successfully recovered over 12,000 kilograms of plastic waste. The programme has encouraged employees to adopt better waste disposal habits and become more actively involved in recycling activities.
Representing the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Olabimpe Adenaike, Controller of the Lagos Field Office of the Federal Ministry of Environment, praised Nestlé Nigeria and its partners for their commitment to environmental protection and climate action.
She stated that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s goals of promoting environmental safety, sustainability, and community development. Adenaike also encouraged Nigerians to embrace recycling, proper waste management, and sustainable living practices in order to build a cleaner, greener, and healthier nation.
The coalition includes several key organisations across the plastics and recycling value chain, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, NESREA, LAWMA, NPAP, FBRA, CEIP, and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria. Development partners such as the Swiss Consulate and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are also supporting the initiative.
As Nestlé Nigeria enters its seventh year of environmental stewardship, the company says the new coalition marks a transition from isolated interventions to a more comprehensive and collaborative system designed to deliver lasting environmental impact across Nigeria.
