The University of Lagos and Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd. on Tuesday officially launched the Green Eco Hub initiative at the university’s Campus in Yaba, Lagos.
The Punch reported that the project entails the setup and operation of four drop-off locations for the collection of post-consumer PET bottles for recycling, a sustainability learning center to educate and raise awareness about recycling, and the funding of a baling device to optimize PET transport logistics.
“Plastic waste becomes a menace to the environment when not separated and channeled for recycling,” NBC’s director of corporate affairs and sustainability, Oluwasoromidayo George, said during the unveiling ceremony.
“We firmly believe that every packaging has value and useful life after its first use, and as such, it should be collected and recycled into a new bottle or another material for useful purposes, lifting the ban on single-use products and establishing a fully circular economy.
“One of the many ways we, as a producer, are setting the standard for raising awareness of the significance of trash separation for recycling and supporting the creation of economic success through the value chain of plastic recycling is through partnering on projects like this.”
The Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, reiterated the Coca-Cola System’s promise to collect one bottle or can for every bottle or can produced by 2030 under its World Without Waste goal.
She stated, “We intend to further promote effective waste management practises that enhance our sustainability focus among the youth population through our relationship with the University of Lagos on the inauguration of its Green Hub.
“We are working to achieve 100% package collection by 2030 and 50% recycled content in our packaging as we advance the goal of a world without waste in partnership with other like-minded organizations.”
In support of the 13th Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Professor Lucien Obinna Chukwu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, University of Lagos, emphasized that NBC’s efforts to eliminate plastic waste from the environment are in line with the university’s ongoing environmental sustainability efforts.
“Today, we are happy that the University of Lagos is leading the way among all other universities nationwide in the area of sustainability,” she remarked.
