As part of its long-standing commitment to fulfilling its global World Without Waste agenda, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), in partnership with University of Lagos (UNILAG), has commissioned a Green Eco Hub project at the university campus in Yaba, Lagos during the week.
The initiative is projected to reduce the institution’s carbon footprint by 15 per cent whilst impacting over 1,000 stakeholders on carbon literacy. There will be installation and operation of four drop off centres for the collection of post-consumer PET bottles for recycling; a sustainability learning centre to educate and create awareness on recycling, and the funding of baling equipment for the optimisation of PET transport logistics. The drop-off centres are strategically located across the UNILAG campus at the Amina Hall, Mariere Hall, High-rise, and DLI bus stop.
A product-based incentive tagged “Bottles 4 Drinks” will be adopted to encourage usage of the drop-off centres, where stakeholders can exchange large numbers of post-consumed plastic bottles for drinks. Green badges and certificates will also be used to motivate participants. In addition to this, the sustainability-learning centre will be a knowledge and resource transfer avenue for educational awareness on recycling and environmental sustainability business and skills. The centre will also serve to stimulate stakeholders’ interest and commitment in the collection of recyclable waste from the generation points. Interested students, staff and public will be engaged and exposed to the recycling and circular economy business.
Over the years, NBC, alongside its partner, Coca-Cola Nigeria, has been at the forefront of opening the plastic recycling ecosystem that has now evolved to an industry creating jobs to thousands of Nigerians with immense social impact. The company has continued to drive several partnerships and collaborations with waste recycling organisations, industry leaders, governments, NGOs, development agencies, and consumers to improve the waste management culture.
At the unveiling ceremony, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at NBC, Oluwasoromidayo George, said the project restated the company’s commitment towards environmental sustainability, especially in the areas of post-consumer PET recovery for recycling.
“Plastic waste becomes a menace to the environment when not separated and channelled for recycling. Our ‘World Without Waste’ agenda aims to help address it, as it is built under key strategic pillars of design, collect and partner, which we have been implementing across our operations. We have the strong belief that every package has value and life beyond its initial use and as such should be collected and recycled into either a new bottle or another material for beneficial use, thereby taking off the lid on one use only life span into a completely circular economy,” she explained.
George noted that partnering on projects like this is one of several ways through which producers are leading the way in driving awareness on the importance of waste separation for recycling and sustaining the creation of economic prosperity through the plastic recycling value chain.
The Director, Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, who reiterated the commitment of the Coca-Cola System to collecting one bottle or can for every one it produces by 2030 under its World Without Waste vision said: “Through our partnership with UNILAG on the launch of its Green Hub, we hope to further engender proper waste management practices that deepen our sustainability thrust amongst the youth demographic. We are on a journey to a World Without Waste and as we partner with like-minded organisations to advance this agenda, we are working to achieve 100 per cent collection of our packaging by 2030 with 50 per cent recycled content in our packaging by 2030”.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, University of Lagos, Professor Lucien Obinna Chukwu representing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that NBC’s efforts to rid the environment of plastic waste is in alignment with the university’s ongoing environmental sustainability efforts.
“Today, we are glad that the University of Lagos is at the forefront in the realm of sustainability among all other universities nationwide. I express our gratitude to our esteemed partners, the Nigerian Bottling Company, and our other collaborators, who have recognised the significance of bringing this innovation to our university. This programme goes beyond the goal of protecting and sustaining the environment; it specifically highlights the urgent need to manage our waste, especially plastics. In Nigeria, we face challenges with PET bottles, which ultimately end up in our waterways and numerous dumpsites across the country. The programme aims to tackle the necessity of behaviour change and introduce innovative plastic recycling practices. Ultimately, this initiative will not only enhance our environmental sustainability by reducing our carbon footprint but also contribute to revenue generation, fostering a circular economy.”
