As part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and social inclusion, Nestlé Nigeria has launched a comprehensive Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) Training Programme, empowering 100 plastic waste workers across Lagos and Abuja.
This initiative aims to enhance the safety and wellbeing of these invaluable workers while empowering them and promoting their dignity within the plastics recycling value chain.
Supported by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), and the Food Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), the training encompassed essential topics such as best practices in occupational health and safety, responsible handling of recyclable materials, fire prevention and rescue techniques, and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Each participant also received PPE kits to ensure safer working conditions, fostering a healthier environment for both workers and their communities.
The Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead for Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, articulated the company’s motivation for this initiative, highlighting Nestlé’s commitment to building a waste-free future and the recognition of the role that the waste workers play in bringing this vision to life.
She said Nestlé is committed to building a waste-free future and recognise the crucial role plastic waste workers play in reducing pollution and facilitating a circular economy.
Uwadoka explained that this training is a vital component of the company’s support for this key stakeholder group, enhancing Nigeria’s waste management infrastructure.
According to her, by equipping these essential workers with the necessary skills and knowledge, the company helps to improve their quality of life while increasing their employability and boost productivity within a sustainable waste management framework.
During the opening ceremony in Abuja, Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, praised Nestlé’s commitment to environmental sustainability and for prioritising the health and safety of those at the frontline of waste management.
He said waste workers are often unrecognised, yet play a crucial role in the national effort to combat plastic pollution in the environment.
” The focus on training waste workers is commendable, especially at a time when the world is seeking solutions to the prevailing challenges relating to plastic waste management,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the trainees at the Lagos event, the Managing Director, Maladase Ecopreneur Management Company Limited, Mayowa Elefin, said the training is an impactful initiative which aligns with the firm’s commitment to promoting a safe, healthy, and sustainable work environment across its plastic recycling value chain.
“It has provided valuable knowledge and practical skills that will greatly benefit our staff, enhancing their capacity to maintain safe operations, ensure healthier workplaces, and ultimately improve productivity,” he added.
