In a significant development aimed at addressing the issue of waste management in Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria and waste management company, Chanja Datti, have formalized their longstanding partnership in an effort to combat waste in Northern Nigeria.
The collaboration aims to extend their waste management program, which was initiated in 2020, and involve more aggregators in the process.
During an event held to commemorate the occasion, Mrs. Uwadoka Victoria, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability at Nestle Nigeria, expressed the company’s commitment to ensuring that none of their packaging ends up as litter or debris.
Nestle’s approach involves making their packaging recyclable or reusable, removing existing waste from the environment, and raising awareness about the value of waste materials.
According to her, to achieve their goals, Nestle is collaborating with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and other partners to improve awareness among end users about waste management and the economic potential of recycling.
The company also aim to empower rural communities, particularly women, young men, and aggregators who directly collect waste from the environment.
Mrs. Uwadoka highlighted the importance of involving the aggregators and other stakeholders in waste management efforts.
She expressed Nestle’s commitment to supporting the aggregators not only with financial incentives but also with technical knowledge and small equipment to enhance their waste collection capabilities.
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Nestle also collaborates with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and other partners to raise awareness among end-users about the value of waste and the benefits of recycling.
Chanja Datti, as an off-taker of the collected plastic waste, will participate in training the aggregators on various aspects including hygiene, safety, human rights, and ethical business practices. The company will ensure the traceability of the waste by directing it to specific recycling facilities.
“Three years ago, we signed an agreement with Chanja datti and this is in line with Nestle’s vision that none of our packaging should end up as litter or debris anywhere, whether it’s in our waterways, in our gutters or anywhere. And there are two things that are very, very important to doing this. One is renovating the packaging to ensure that they are recyclable or reusable, so there is really a value to these post-packaging wastes.
“The second thing is to ensure that we’re removing from the environment the debris that is already there or the debris that is already put out by the end users. The third thing for us is to improve the awareness amongst all of us that waste is only waste when you call it waste. There is a value to waste.” Nwadoka said.
Ms. Olufunto Boroffice, Founder and CEO of Chanja Datti Ltd, emphasized the collective effort required to address the global waste problem and highlighted the importance of partnerships involving businesses, aggregators, media, and journalists. She called on the media to use their platforms to raise awareness about the issue and potential solutions.
The event marked the signing of an extension and expansion agreement between Nestle Nigeria, Chanja Datti, and the aggregators, solidifying their commitment to long-term waste management and sustainability in Nigeria.
The partnership seeks to make a significant difference in waste reduction, environmental protection, and the overall well-being of the country.
The event also celebrated Chanja Datti’s efforts to empower female participants in the waste management ecosystem through training in business, marketing, and merchandising. The company aims to help these women grow their businesses and start other small-scale ventures.
As Nigeria continues to face waste management challenges, the collaboration between Nestle Nigeria, Chanja Datti, and the aggregators offers hope for a cleaner, more sustainable future. With their concerted efforts, they aim to create a positive impact not only on the environment but also on the lives and livelihoods of the people involved in waste management and recycling.
