Nestlé Nigeria said on Thursday it has achieved 100 percent plastic neutrality, meaning it has recovered and recycled an amount of plastic equivalent to what it places on the Nigerian market each year.
The company said the milestone was reached through its participation in the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Nigeria’s first producer responsibility organisation, established in 2018 under the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility policy.
Plastic neutrality refers to the recovery and recycling of post-consumer plastic waste in volumes equal to a company’s plastic footprint, rather than the complete elimination of plastic packaging.
FBRA was founded by four companies and had expanded to 49 member organisations by November 2025, according to Nestlé. The alliance coordinates the collection, recycling and reintegration of plastic packaging into production cycles, supporting Nigeria’s emerging circular economy.
Nestlé Nigeria said its sustainability strategy emphasises environmental stewardship alongside commercial performance, with companies collaborating on waste management even as they compete in the marketplace.
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“Every bottle that is taken out and does not end up in the ocean is one bottle less of a problem,” said Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s corporate communications, public affairs and sustainability lead. “Closing the loop is key. Circularity is the destination.”
Nestlé has also introduced packaging innovation as part of its waste reduction efforts, including the use of bottles made with 50% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) for its Nestlé Pure Life water brand. The company said the packaging complies with food-grade safety standards.
Through FBRA’s framework, recovered plastics are processed by recyclers and reintroduced into manufacturing value chains, creating economic opportunities while reducing environmental pollution.
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Since its establishment in 2018, FBRA and its partners, including Nestlé Nigeria, have collectively recovered more than 100,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste, according to company figures. The initiative has supported informal waste collectors, improved community sanitation and strengthened local recycling capacity.
Nigeria faces growing plastic waste challenges due to rapid urbanisation, population growth and limited waste management infrastructure. Environmental groups estimate that the country generates more than 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up in landfills, waterways and coastal areas.
Producer responsibility schemes, which require manufacturers to take responsibility for the post-consumer phase of their products, are increasingly being promoted across Africa as governments seek private-sector participation in waste management.
Nestlé said its collaboration with industry peers through FBRA demonstrates how coordinated private-sector action can support national environmental objectives while advancing global sustainability targets.
