Promoting Sustainable Ecosystems: Coca-Cola Nigeria’s Annual Beach Cleanup and Environmental Initiatives

By Dauda Abbas

The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, which includes Coca-Cola Nigeria, CHI Limited, and Nigeria Bottling Company, has reiterated its commitment to promoting sustainable ecosystems and ocean preservation through its Annual System Beach Cleanup exercise, in line with the World Without Waste Vision.

Under this vision, Coca-Cola aims to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one it sells globally by 2030, regardless of its origin.

Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Nigeria, highlighted these efforts during the 2023 edition of the Coca-Cola Company Annual Beach Clean-Up Exercise held at Elegushi Beach in Lagos on Friday, June 16, 2023.

During her opening remarks, Onyemelukwe emphasized the importance of the exercise and the company’s commitment to fostering partnerships that promote environmental preservation.

She mentioned that Coca-Cola has made progress toward its World Without Waste goals, but it is determined to do more and accelerate its efforts.

In 2020, Coca-Cola signed a joint statement urging United Nations member states to adopt a global treaty to address the issue of plastic waste and also helped launch the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty in 2022.

Furthermore, the company announced an industry-leading target for reusable packaging, aiming to have at least 25% of all its beverages globally sold in refillable/returnable glass or plastic bottles or refillable containers.

Onyemelukwe emphasized that achieving these goals requires collaboration between the industry, the public sector, and civil society. She highlighted partnerships with NGOs such as the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as crucial in accelerating impact.

Additionally, she pointed out the progress made in Lagos over the past three years, with the establishment of two bottle-to-bottle recycling plants using used plastic bottles as raw materials.

Onyemelukwe mentioned the presence of a recycling bank at Elegushi Beach, where community members can exchange their collected bottles for cash or gift cards that can be used for shopping or other purposes.

Eelco Weber, Managing Director of CHI Limited, expressed the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria’s commitment to sustainability as a core aspect of its operations. He mentioned the ambitious goal of collecting and recycling the equivalent of every bottle or can sold by 2030.

Weber highlighted the company’s social responsibility and its dedication to doing what is right for the planet, communities, and the system. He also mentioned plans to extend the beach cleanup exercise to the hinterland, acknowledging the widespread presence of plastic waste and the need to address it.

Soromidayo George, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nigerian Bottling Company, echoed the vision of the Coca-Cola System in advancing waste management solutions throughout the country.

She emphasized the importance of sorting recyclables like PET from other household waste and taking them to recycling banks. Recycling PET can help reduce the annual volume of plastics entering the oceans by 80%, lower greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, generate income, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.

Ibrahim Odumboni, Managing Director of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), emphasized that beach cleaning activities are not unique to Nigeria and are essential for protecting aquatic animals and preventing health hazards caused by plastic waste. Odumboni, represented by Kunle Adebiyi, mentioned that the current administration in Lagos State is promoting infrastructure to enhance plastic collection.

He highlighted the growth of recyclers in Lagos, with over 150 registered recyclers and more joining the informal sector. This expansion aims to minimize plastic pollution in society.

“As we speak, we have a lot of training activities lined up for the informal sector, enabling them to benefit from recycling and other waste management solutions. I urge everyone to become solution providers for plastic pollution rather than contributing to it.”

Adedolapo Fasawe, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), mentioned in her remarks that LASEPA has taken measures to minimize plastic pollution in the state.

Represented by Kayode Bello, Fasawe stated, “We have proactively addressed some single-use plastics. For instance, at LASEPA office, you will no longer find nylon shopping bags. Instead, we use carrier bags when shopping, and we have been conducting awareness campaigns to educate people about the detrimental effects of using nylon shopping bags and how it contributes to environmental pollution.”

She further added, “At LASEPA office, we have replaced plastic bottles with dispensers and paper cups, aiming to reduce the usage of plastic materials. We have also introduced a payback system for individuals who collect plastic waste from the environment. They can hand over the collected waste to our consultants for proper disposal. It is essential for us to adopt these practices and ensure environmental sustainability. If we develop this culture and adhere to the principles of recycling, reducing, and reusing, it will prevent further environmental pollution.”

The event was organized by Doyinsola Ogunye, the Founder of the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC). Over 300 people attended the event, including notable environmental advocates, community volunteers, and local environmental protection agencies. They all united around the vision of a World Without Waste, championed by the beverage company.

Every year, the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria collaborates with like-minded partners to conduct a beach cleanup drive, focusing on removing plastic waste debris from beaches and preserving the shorelines of coastal communities.

This year, in partnership with MEDIC, the total beverage company hosted residents and partners. Dignitaries present at the occasion included Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Manager of Nestle Nigeria; Arese Oraghese, Executive Secretary of the Food and Beverages Recycling Alliance (FBRA); and representatives from SWEEP Foundation, FABE Foundation, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF), Sterling One Foundation, and other volunteers.