▪︎▪︎In picture from left: The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin; Executive Chairman, Apapa Local Government Council, Hon. Idowu Adejumoke Senbanjo; the Chief Executive Officer, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), Zoran Bogdanovic; the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Owan Enoh; the President, Coca-Cola Africa Operating Units, Luisa Ortega; the Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Goran Sladic; the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Circular Economy, Mrs Titilayo Oshodi; Director General/Chief Executive Officer, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor during the commissioning of NBC Packaging Collection Hub located in Apapa.
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Lagos State Government have expressed their appreciation for the Coca-Cola System’s establishment of a state-of-the-art plastics packaging collection hub located in Apapa, Lagos.
This advanced recycling infrastructure can process up to 13,000 metric tons (MT) of plastic bottles annually.
Government representatives have commended this significant investment, noting its potential to address waste collection challenges in Nigeria.
Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, stated, “The facility represents a pivotal advancement in our collective commitment to sustainability, economic growth, and environmental responsibility in Nigeria.”
She further praised the Coca-Cola System for its vision and investment in this initiative, affirming that it aligns with the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader objectives for fostering a prosperous and self-sustaining nation.
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of State for Industry, characterized the establishment of the packaging collection hub as a transformative step that will redefine Nigeria’s industrial landscape—where manufacturing intersects with sustainability.
He cautioned that any industry that neglects recycling risks obsolescence, and that manufacturers who do not embrace sustainability will lose relevance.
He emphasized that the Coca-Cola System’s investment demonstrates that manufacturing can indeed serve as a catalyst for positive change. He articulated,
“Let it be known—Nigeria is not merely waiting for an industrial revolution; we are actively building it. Waste is no longer seen as waste; rather, it is viewed as a resource, an economic asset, and a means for wealth creation.”
Senator Enoh further asserted that the new industrial economy must be circular, regenerative, and intelligent.
He cautioned that any industry that neglects recycling risks obsolescence, and that manufacturers who do not embrace sustainability will lose relevance.
He described the initiative as a powerful one that redefines waste as raw material and opportunity, fostering resilience through responsibility.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser on Circular Economy, noted that the facility serves as a symbol of progress and a vital demonstration of the Corporate Social Responsibility needed in Lagos.
“This hub will function as a critical center for the collection, sorting, and recycling of PET plastics, significantly mitigating plastic pollution in our environment,” he stated.
Zoran Bogdanovic, Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC, known locally as the Nigerian Bottling Company, highlighted the company’s strategic vision:
“This facility marks a significant milestone in our endeavor to reduce waste through the collection and recycling of our packaging in Nigeria.
By investing in this hub, we are not only supporting local communities and creating jobs but also reaffirming our commitment to building a sustainable future in a country that is integral to our business success. We are proud to collaborate with the Nigerian Government in addressing the critical challenge of waste management while promoting economic growth.”
Luisa Ortega, President of Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Operating Unit, emphasized that for nearly 75 years, the Coca-Cola System has been honored to contribute to the communities in Nigeria.
She noted that through collaboration with both local and global partners, the Coca-Cola System would continue expanding design innovations, exploring new collection models, improving existing systems, investing in local infrastructure like this hub, and engaging with communities to foster a better-shared future.
Currently, the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria employs over 2,800 individuals across eight production facilities, 11 depots, and more than 58 commercial territories.