In recognition of Coca-Cola’s strides in sustainability through its promotion of sustainable development and a better shared future for communities across Nigeria, Coca-Cola Nigeria has emerged winner of the “Best Company in Outstanding Social Impact” award at the 2nd edition of the Lagos State Waste Forum organised by SWEEP foundation, which was held on Thursday, May 20th.
The symposium themed “Green Financing and the Future of the Circular Economy” was dedicated to spotlighting the latent opportunities in the public and private waste management sector which can be used as a transformative tool for national development.
Presenting the “Best Company in Outstanding Social Impact” award to Coca-Cola Nigeria was The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Aderonke Odeneye, who spoke on the new Lagos Plastic Policy during her keynote address. She noted that the Lagos State Government is working on a policy for plastic utility to ensure sustainable management of plastic across the State.
“The new plastic waste policy championed by the Lagos State Government when finalized will promote sustainable plastic waste management across the state. Plastic waste management is fundamental to the delivery of the State Government’s priority transformational agenda as laid down in the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) as it is a resource that can be managed to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits”, she said.
Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria in her keynote address reaffirmed Coca-Cola’s commitment to support environmental protection and sustainability through its World Without Waste initiative.
She said, “The world has a packaging waste problem and our World Without Waste vision seeks to help solve this. At Coca-Cola, we believe a litter-free world is possible and we want to help lead the way. Alongside the prevention and recycling of waste, an important pillar of our waste management approach is treating waste as a valuable resource. Through our World Without Waste initiative, we hope to make the recycling of waste more accessible to achieve 100% collection and recycling by 2030”.
Also speaking at the forum on the role of corporate organisations in ensuring a circular economy, Ola Oresanya, Special Assistant on Environment to the Governor of Ogun State lauded Coca-Cola as one of the propellers of the circular economy model in Nigeria. He said “Coca-Cola was one of the foremost companies that started the circular economy model. They were the first players to recognise the importance of green financing as a catalyst in resolving the challenges the Nigerian environmental sector is facing”.
Other important dignitaries were present at the event namely Dr Grace Igbokwe, wife of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Drainage Services, representing the First Lady of Lagos state, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Ibrahim Odumboni, Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Agharese Onaghise, Executive Secretary, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance; Dr Mfon Archibong, President/CEO, Grace Restoration International, USA, and Dr Femi Idowu-Adegoke, Chairman, Lagos Recyclers Association.
