World Environment Day: Coca-Cola, Pepsi, C-Way, Nestlé, top plastic waste contributors in Nigeria

While numerous factors contribute to the plastic pollution problem, multinational corporations such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, C-Way, and Nestlé have emerged as significant contributors to plastic waste in Nigeria.

Today’s World Environment Day is themed: “Beat Plastic Pollution” and it will focus on finding solutions to plastic pollution.

Celebrated annually on June 5th to raise awareness and encourage global action towards environmental protection, the day was established by the United Nations (UN) in 1972, to serves as a platform to engage governments, businesses, communities, and individuals in addressing pressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices.

Plastic pollution is a pressing global environmental issue, with devastating consequences for ecosystems and human health which Nigeria, like many other countries, is grappling with the adverse effects of plastic pollution.

Nigeria faces a severe plastic pollution crisis, primarily due to inadequate waste management infrastructure and a lack of public awareness regarding the negative consequences of plastic waste.

Plastic bottles, sachets, and packaging materials have become ubiquitous, cluttering streets, clogging drains, and contaminating water bodies, leading to ecological degradation.

This pollution not only harms marine life but also poses risks to human health through the ingestion of microplastics.

Role of Multinational Corporations

Multinational corporations like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, C-Way, and Nestlé have a significant presence in Nigeria and play a crucial role in exacerbating the plastic pollution problem.

These companies produce and distribute a vast array of beverages and packaged goods, packaged predominantly in single-use plastics. While their products have undoubtedly brought convenience and pleasure to consumers, the packaging waste generated has had a detrimental impact on the environment.

Firstly, the marketing and distribution strategies employed by these corporations have resulted in an increase in plastic consumption. The widespread availability of their products in single-use plastic bottles and sachets has contributed to a culture of disposability, where plastic waste is treated as a norm rather than an issue to be addressed.

Secondly, despite growing awareness of the environmental consequences of plastic pollution, these companies have been slow to adopt sustainable practices. They continue to prioritize convenience and cost-effectiveness over environmentally friendly alternatives. For instance, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have not fully embraced bottle recycling programs in Nigeria, contributing to the accumulation of plastic waste.

The way forward

According to the Director, Corporate Affairs Communication and Sustainability, Coca-cola Nigeria Limited, Amaka Onyemelukwe, the Coca-Cola company share the goal of eliminating plastic waste from the environment and ocean.

According to her, Coca-Cola and its bottling partners are prepared to do play their part starting with helping to collect and recycle a bottle or can for everyone sold – regardless of where it comes from – by 2030.

She communicated the company’s committment to doing more, faster, so as to achieve their World Without Waste goals and grow the business the right way.

As part of their support, she explained that the company, in 2020, signed a joint statement urging United Nations member states to adopt a global treaty to tackle the plastic waste issue and helped launch the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty in 2022.

We also announced an industry-leading target for reusable packaging aiming to have at least 25% of all beverages globally across our portfolio of brands sold in refillable/returnable glass or plastic bottles or in refillable containers.

 “Ultimately, we recognize that we can’t achieve our goals alone. Addressing plastic waste and recycling challenges requires collaboration between industry, the public sector, and civil society. Through effective collaboration as well as 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), we can help accelerate impact. We are deeply committed to sustainability, taking our responsibilities seriously and proactively seeking innovative solutions to create a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.” She said.

Addressing plastic pollution requires a multi-faceted approach involving cooperation between governments, civil society, and the corporate sector. To mitigate the contribution of multinational corporations to plastic pollution in Nigeria, several steps can be taken:

The Nigerian government should enforce stringent regulations that hold corporations accountable for the waste generated by their products. Implementing extended producer responsibility programs would require companies to take responsibility for the collection, recycling, or proper disposal of their packaging materials.

Encouraging corporations to adopt sustainable packaging alternatives can significantly reduce plastic pollution. Governments should incentivize companies to invest in research and development to create innovative packaging materials that are biodegradable, compostable, or easily recyclable.

Raising awareness among the Nigerian population about the impact of plastic pollution is crucial. Governments, in collaboration with NGOs and corporations, should launch comprehensive public education campaigns to promote responsible consumption and waste management practices.

Adequate waste management infrastructure, including recycling facilities and waste collection systems, is essential to address plastic pollution effectively. Governments should invest in developing these infrastructures and ensure their accessibility throughout the country.

Encouraging collaboration between governments, multinational corporations, and NGOs can foster innovative solutions to plastic pollution. Engaging with corporations to develop and implement sustainability initiatives can create a win-win situation by reducing environmental impact and enhancing brand reputation.

Plastic pollution in Nigeria is a complex problem requiring a concerted effort from various stakeholders. While multinational corporations such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, C-Way, and Nestlé have played a significant role in exacerbating the issue, they can also become part of the solution.