FG Mandates Plastic Manufacturers to Establish Recycling Facilities
…Nestle Unveils Nigeria’s First Food Grade Plastic Bottle
By Patience Ikpeme
The federal government has taken a significant step in the fight against environmental degradation by mandating all plastic manufacturers to incorporate recycling facilities into their operations.
This initiative comes in response to the escalating volume of waste produced by plastic products and plastic manufactures in the country .
This disclosure was made by the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment , Doris Nkirua Uzoka-Anite who was represented by Director, Chemical and Non Petrochemical Industrial Development, Onuorah C. Francis, on Wednesday in Abuja at the Nestle pure life 50% recycled PET(rPET) lunch.
Onuorah noted that the decision comes after growing worries about the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment, leading to an urgent demand for action to lessen these negative impacts.
This requirement aims to make plastic manufacturers responsible for the entire lifespan of their products, requiring them to manage recycling and minimize the environmental impact of their materials.
In a related development, Nestle has unveiled Nigeria’s inaugural food-grade plastic bottle, marking a milestone in sustainable packaging within the country.
This innovation marks a crucial milestone in sustainable packaging, showcasing the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Nestle’s introduction of this pioneering food-grade plastic bottle aligns with the national agenda to promote sustainable and eco-conscious solutions within the manufacturing sector.
Mr. Wassim, Elhusseini, MD/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC represented by Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka stated that , “Since 2018, Nestlé Nigeria has been working with partners to recover as much plastic as we sell, based on a “one tonne in, one tonne out” principle. In 2021, we started on the step by teaming up with ALEF, to achieve our objective of cutting virgin plastic in our packaging by a third by 2025. Today, we are very proud to be the first to achieve this milestone of 50% rPET inclusion in our water bottles in Nigeria”.
He further reassured consumers of the their standards and commended the regulatory agencies – NESREA, SON and NAFDAC who have ensured compliance to the highest standards, he also said this will help in reducing the use of virgin plastic by 50% in food grade plastics ,
The Category and Marketing Manager, Nestlé Waters, Joy Abdulahi-Johnson stated that “because of our dedication to rigorous safety processes for all our products, it has taken almost two years of painstaking diligence to launch the new rPET bottle”.
She further stated that the old bottles will be phased out gradually within a period of three months and the cost will not change because every step of the production was calculated not to affect the current price .
Also speaking at the product launch, Mr. Ramlawi, Managing Director of ALEF Recycling Company said, “This has been a long, rigorous journey for us, working with Nestlé’s technical and quality assurance teams to comply with Nestle’s very demanding standards and procedures. For Nestlé Pure Life, achieving 50% rPET in the bottles aligns with the brand’s purpose”.
He further revealed that Nestle’s new plastic bottle, were meticulously crafted with food safety standards in mind. This he said embodies a shift towards recyclable materials, emphasizing the imperative need for responsible packaging in the industry.
The government’s imposition of the recycling mandate, coupled with Nestle’s pioneering initiative, underscores a collective effort towards fostering a greener, more sustainable future. It is a pivotal moment that signifies a paradigm shift in the way plastic manufacturing companies operate, emphasizing environmental stewardship and accountability.
