As the demand for Packaging solutions, largely fuelled by the e-commerce sector, continues to drive the market, the lack of sustainable practices to reduce environmental Pollution has become a growing concern. Stakeholders in the industry warned that Nigeria could face an environmental crisis if packaging waste continues to pollute the environment. With Nigerians consuming an estimated 100 million units of packaging on average daily, the health of residents is at risk if these packages are not properly recycled. Numerous small businesses, entrepreneurs, and production firms are flourishing the Nigerian market with quality goods. However, these goods are often packaged using materials that are detrimental to the environment.
Businesses across various industries contribute to environmental pollution by packaging their products in Plastic Bags and bottles, leading to a significant amount of waste. Without intervention, Nigeria is on track to become the top producer of mismanaged Plastic Waste in Africa by 2025, as per reports. Clement Sunday, the Marketing and Portfolio Director for Tetra Pak West Africa, emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing climate change. Sunday, who mentioned this during a forum in Lagos to mark World Environment Day, stressed the need for collective action to maintain a sustainable environment.
Tetra Pak recycled 11,000 tons of beverage cartons.
Sunday stated that Tetra Pak is actively involved in promoting a circular Economy in Nigeria, with the goal of closing the loop. Collaborating with partners, the company is dedicated to increasing awareness among the public about the recyclability of beverage cartons. Tetra Pak’s primary objective is to ensure that safe and nutritious food is accessible to billions of people worldwide while also prioritizing the protection of the environment. He stated that the driving force behind the firm’s operation is the principles of circularity, which are supported by its value chain approach and partnerships.
Embracing a circular economy requires a collective effort, as no single partner can achieve it independently which is why the firm works in collaboration with the entire value chain to ensure sustainability. An estimated 11,000 tons of beverage cartons are recycled by the firm’s partners in the country. Tetra Pak, along with their major partner Chivita Hollandia in Sub-Saharan Africa, are actively engaged in local Recycling initiatives. Sunday disclosed that the firm has recently entered into a new partnership with a collector to boost the recycling of beverage cartons in Nigeria.
Nestle Nigeria Plc dedicated to advancing a circular economy.
Agharese Onaghise, Executive Director of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), highlighted the organization’s significant progress in environmental policy and growth since its establishment in 2018. He noted that FBRA’s membership had grown from 4 companies focused on PET to 34 companies encompassing a variety of packaging materials such as flexible plastics, cartons, glass, and aluminum cans. According to him, branching out into different areas led to a substantial rise in the amount of waste collected from six different sources, with over 75,000 metric tons of recyclables gathered in total.
Onaghise highlighted that obstacles faced by many African nations are the issue of implementing existing policies and the widespread lack of support from stakeholders which is crucial. He emphasized the importance of policy advocacy, which involves raising awareness about how certain aspects of policies can impact various stakeholders in the food and beverage sector. Speaking at the event, Victoria Uwadoka, the Head of Corporate Communications, Public Relations, and Sustainability at Nestle Nigeria Plc, expressed the company’s dedication to advancing a circular economy for PET in Nigeria. This includes boosting collection rates and establishing a strong recycling infrastructure.
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The contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs to the economy is undeniable, but the emphasis on Eco-friendly packaging is now more pressing than ever. It is essential for companies to grasp the concept of creating sustainable products with the appropriate packaging. Nigerian food packaging industries have made significant strides in embracing sustainable methods, yet there is ample opportunity for improvement, especially in minimizing waste and boosting the utilization of recycled materials. Nigeria has the potential to take the lead in Sustainable packaging with persistent dedication and focus.