Coca-Cola Nigeria and its authorised bottler, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), have inaugurated a new domestic packaging collection hub in Apapa, Lagos.
The facility is set to bolster Nigeria’s plastics recycling infrastructure with the capacity to process up to 13,000 tonnes (t) of plastic bottles annually.
Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said: “This hub will serve as a critical centre for collecting, sorting, and recycling PET [polyethylene terephthalate] plastics, which will significantly reduce plastic pollution in our environment.”
This initiative aligns with the Coca-Cola System’s global sustainability goals and is designed to serve as an integrated solution for plastic waste management.
The hub will support PET processing, transforming materials into clean PET bales.
It aims to facilitate the production of recycled PET (rPET) through third-party collaborations, contributing to cleaner communities and promoting actions to reduce packaging waste.
Coca-Cola Nigeria’s investment is part of a broader commitment to reduce packaging waste and emissions, targeting the use of 35% to 40% recycled materials in its primary packaging.
Over the last ten years, the Coca-Cola System has reportedly injected more than $1.5bn into Nigeria’s economy, supporting economic growth and sustainability initiatives.
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company CEO Zoran Bogdanovic said: “This facility represents a significant milestone in our journey of reducing waste by collecting and recycling our packaging in Nigeria.
“By investing in the hub, we are supporting local communities and creating jobs, as well as demonstrating our commitment to building a more sustainable future in a country that is integral to the success of our business.”
In August last year, Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission issued a final order against Coca-Cola Nigeria and NBC for allegedly misleading trade descriptions.
