…says poor waste disposal threatens public health

By Chioma Obinna

Amid growing concerns 

over plastic pollution, poor sanitation and rising environmental health risks in Nigeria, Nestlé Nigeria has launched a nationwide multi-stakeholder coalition aimed at strengthening waste management, reducing plastic leakage and promoting cleaner communities.

The initiative, unveiled to mark the 2026 World Environment Day, will be implemented across 12 locations nationwide through community sensitisation campaigns and environmental clean-up activities.

Speaking at the launch, the Lead, Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, said poor waste management remains a major environmental and public health concern that requires collective action beyond awareness campaigns.

“Waste management outcomes improve when intervention shifts from awareness alone to shared accountability across the value chain,” Uwadoka said.

“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 explained that the initiative was designed to promote cleaner public spaces, improve waste recovery systems and encourage responsible disposal practices capable of reducing environmental pollution and associated health risks.

According to her, the coalition reflects a transition from isolated environmental interventions to coordinated systems that can deliver long-term impact in communities.

Over the past six years, Nestlé Nigeria said it had worked with partners to strengthen plastic waste recovery and advance circular economy initiatives across the country.

The company disclosed that since 2019, its recycling partnerships with organisations including Chanja Datti, Wecyclers and MECOM have helped recover over 60,000 metric tons of plastic waste for recycling.

Nestlé also revealed that its internal Employee Plastics Collection Scheme introduced in 2022 has recovered more than 12,000 kilogrammes of plastic waste, helping to encourage responsible environmental practices among workers.

Representing the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Olabimpe Adenaike, Controller, Lagos Field Office, Federal Ministry of Environment, commended the initiative, describing it as a critical step toward environmental sustainability and healthier communities.

“This initiative reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, community development and responsible environmental practices,” Adenaike stated.

“It aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to drive climate action and environmental safety.”

She urged Nigerians to embrace proper waste disposal, recycling and sustainable living practices to reduce environmental hazards and protect public health.

“We encourage all Nigerians to support proper waste management, recycling and sustainable living as we work together toward a cleaner, greener and healthier nation.”

The coalition brings together major stakeholders across the plastics value chain, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), recyclers and development partners.

Also supporting the initiative are the Swiss Consulate, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the African Clean-Up Initiative and News Central.

Nestlé Nigeria said the collaboration would help strengthen community participation in environmental protection while improving waste collection and recycling systems nationwide.