Nestlé Nigeria has launched a multi-stakeholder coalition to drive sustained environmental action in communities nationwide including reducing waste leakage, strengthening collection systems and scaling circular solutions through collective action in commemoration of 2026 World Environment Day.

Building on six years of nationwide awareness and clean-up initiatives, the coalition represents a coordinated and systems-led approach that brings together government, regulators, industry, recyclers and development partners to advance circular economy outcomes.

The coalition brings together key institutions across the plastics value chain, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), alongside industry platforms such as the National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP), the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), the Circular Economy Innovation Partnership (CEIP), and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN).

In statement signed by the Corporate Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Toju Egbebi, the initiative is supported by development partners, including the Swiss Consulate and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, implemented by the African Clean-Up Initiative,

The company said the programme will be delivered across 12 locations nationwide through community sensitisation and clean-up activities.

Focused on advancing more sustainable and resilient communities, the programme will support environmental awareness, strengthen waste recovery efforts and promote responsible waste management practices in participating communities, contributing to cleaner public spaces and reduced waste leakage into the environment.

The company said the coalition reinforces Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to plastics neutrality and responsible packaging while supporting stronger waste recovery systems and deeper collaboration across the plastics value chain.

According to the company, this also demonstrates a scalable model for public-private collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.

Speaking at the launch, the Lead Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, said waste management outcomes improve when intervention shifts from awareness alone to shared accountability across the value chain.

She explained that the coalition is designed to connect policy, infrastructure, community action, and market-based recovery systems ito deliver more durable environmental results.

Uwadoka said over the past six years, Nestlé Nigeria has worked with partners across the value chain to strengthen plastic waste recovery and advance circular economy outcomes.

According to her, since 2019, these collaborative efforts have helped recover more than 60,000 metric tons of plastic for recycling through partners, helping to divert significant volumes of plastic waste from the environment and back into productive use.

Internally, Nestlé Nigeria has also promoted responsible waste management through its Employee Plastics Collection Scheme, which has recovered more than 12,000kg of plastic since 2022, reinforcing employee engagement and encouraging positive behavioural change.

Representing the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Olabimpe Adenaike, the Controller, Lagos Field Office, Federal Ministry of Environment, Adeoye Babajide, stated this initiative reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, community development, and responsible environmental practices.

She said the initiative aligns with the Ministry’s mandate to drive climate action and environmental safety.

“We commend Nestlé Nigeria and its partners for advancing environmental awareness, waste reduction, and climate resilience through collaborative action. We encourage all Nigerians to support proper waste management, recycling, and sustainable living as we work together toward a cleaner, greener, and healthier nation,” she said.