Nestlé Nigeria, in collaboration with coalition partners, has successfully concluded its 2026 World Environment Day community sensitization and clean-up campaign across 12 locations nationwide, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible waste management.
The large-scale initiative brought together volunteers, local communities, government stakeholders, and environmental organizations in a coordinated effort aimed at promoting environmental stewardship and reducing waste pollution.
Speaking on the campaign, Victoria Uwadoka, Lead, Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in driving lasting environmental impact.
“Environmental progress is most sustainable when communities see themselves as active participants rather than observers,” she said. “What encouraged us most this year was not only the volume of waste recovered, but the willingness of volunteers, partners, and community members to work together towards a shared goal. Lasting environmental progress depends on that sense of collective ownership.”
According to reports from the African Clean-Up Initiative (ACI) and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), the campaign mobilized 424 volunteers across the 12 locations, resulting in the recovery of 4,507.8kg of solid waste and 48.2kg of recyclable materials. All recovered waste was processed through appropriate recycling and disposal channels, contributing to cleaner public spaces and reducing environmental leakage.
The nationwide activation was driven by Nestlé Cares, the company’s employee volunteering programme, alongside participants from 15 partner organizations. Activities were carried out in key cities including Lagos, Abuja, Agbara, Jos, Kano, Enugu, Awka, Ota, Abaji, Sagamu, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan. Volunteers engaged in structured clean-up exercises and sensitization drives aimed at fostering long-term behavioral change in waste management practices.
The initiative was executed through a multi-stakeholder framework involving government institutions, regulatory bodies, industry groups, development partners, and recycling organizations to ensure alignment with national environmental priorities.
At the Abuja event, the Honourable Minister of Environment was represented by Mrs. Adeola Omotunde, Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health at the Federal Ministry of Environment. She highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
“Addressing environmental issues requires consistent action at all levels,” she noted. “Initiatives like this demonstrate how partnerships between government, private sector, and communities can deliver meaningful impact.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Esther Chibueyin Fagbo, representing the Country Manager of the National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP), underscored the need for collective solutions to Nigeria’s plastic pollution crisis.
“Nigeria’s plastic pollution challenge requires bold, collaborative action,” she said. “This initiative reflects the power of partnerships in advancing circular economy solutions that create both environmental and economic value.”
As Nestlé Nigeria continues to deepen its collaboration with stakeholders, the campaign highlights the role of collective action in building cleaner environments, strengthening waste recovery systems, and advancing sustainable community development across the country.
