Seven-Up Bottling Company has rewarded schools with N5m following its 2024 Sustainability Week, which promoted circular economy and environmental stewardship among students in Lagos State.

According to a statement, the event culminated in the Green-Skill Schools Challenge held at SBC’s manufacturing plant in Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme ‘Championing Circular Economy in Our Business and Communities – The SABI Way.’

It brought together students, educators, non-governmental organisations, and government officials to tackle plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The Managing Director of SBC, Ziad Maalouf, expressed his delight at the initiative, saying, “We are incredibly proud of these future leaders who participated in the Green-Skill Schools Challenge. This aligns with SBC’s core values of fostering innovation, promoting environmental awareness, and supporting the next generation of leaders who will drive the green economy forward. It’s inspiring to see how passionate and committed the students are to making a difference.”

The challenge drew applications from 330 schools across Lagos, with 18 of them selected for the final exhibition. Students showcased innovative projects, including upcycled products and waste-to-resource initiatives.

Three schools emerged victorious, sharing cash prizes totalling N5 million, with winners receiving N1m,  runner-up getting N500,000, and 3rd-placed school pocketing N250,000.

Additionally, N1.5m in consolation prizes were distributed among other participating schools, and every participant received a grant of N110,000, courtesy of SBC, Zenith Bank, and Lagos Waste Management Academy.

The grants will support further training and capacity-building through a Green Skill Scale-Up Bootcamp, organised in partnership with key organisations providing waste management training, green skills, and environmental entrepreneurship. Partners include the Fate Foundation, LAWMA Academy, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, and Green Hub Africa.

The Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, Titi Oshodi, praised SBC’s efforts, stating, “Integrating sustainability into youth education is crucial, and SBC’s proactive role in environmental education is commendable.”

The Commissioner for Education, represented by Grace Akinfoyewa, lauded SBC’s commitment to environmental sustainability, emphasising its importance in equipping students with essential skills to combat waste pollution.

The event was part of SBC’s broader Sustainability Week activities, which also included an internal green competition across its nine manufacturing regions.

Ilorin, Ikeja, and Ibadan plants took the top spots for their biomass alternative fuel, cart recycling initiative, and water efficiency drive, respectively.

Further, SBC distributed waste segregation bins to schools and markets.