The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd. and its authorized bottler, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), has inaugurated a state-of-the-art packaging collection hub in Lagos to address plastic waste management.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday night in Lagos, Zoran Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola, stated that the facility aims to enhance waste collection and recycling efforts in Nigeria.
The hub, a significant milestone in Nigeria’s plastic recycling infrastructure, can process up to 13,000 metric tonnes of plastic bottles annually. Bogdanovic emphasized that the investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability, job creation, and community support.
“This initiative underscores our global commitment to reducing packaging waste and emissions,” he said. “Our goal is to use 35 to 40 percent recycled materials in our plastic, glass, and aluminum packaging while increasing recycled plastic content to 35 percent globally.”
Luisa Ortega, President of Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Operating Unit, noted that the Coca-Cola System has been an integral part of Nigerian communities for nearly 75 years. She reiterated the company’s dedication to sustainability through partnerships, design innovations, and improved waste collection models.
“In addition to advancing our sustainability initiatives, this hub will serve as a comprehensive solution for plastic waste management by facilitating PET collection, processing materials into clean PET bales, and enabling recycled polyethylene (rPET) production through third-party partnerships,” Ortega said.
She added that the company aims to scale the model nationwide once its success is demonstrated.
Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, described the launch as a significant step toward sustainability, economic growth, and environmental responsibility. She commended the Coca-Cola System’s vision, aligning it with President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda for a self-sustaining and prosperous Nigeria.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Special Adviser on Circular Economy, Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, hailed the initiative as a model of corporate social responsibility.
“This facility will serve as a critical center for collecting, sorting, and recycling PET plastics, significantly reducing plastic pollution in Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, also lauded the initiative, describing it as a bold step that merges industrial growth with sustainability.
“The establishment of this hub marks an important moment in Nigeria’s industrial journey. It demonstrates how industries can go beyond profit and embrace environmental responsibility while creating jobs,” Enoh stated.
The Coca-Cola System reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to drive collective action for a cleaner and more sustainable Nigeria.
