Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited has commissioned a packaging collection hub in Apapa, Lagos, to boost plastic waste recycling.

On Friday, the company, in a joint initiative with its bottler, Nigerian Bottling Company, stated its facility can process up to 13,000 metric tonnes of plastic bottles annually.

The company added that the newly established hub was part of its broader sustainability drive to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy.

At the commissioning, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Special Adviser on Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, described the facility as “a symbol of progress and a tangible demonstration of corporate social responsibility in Lagos.”

“This hub will serve as a critical centre for collecting, sorting, and recycling PET plastics, which will significantly reduce plastic pollution in our environment,” Oshodi said.

The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, also lauded the project as a major step in advancing sustainability, economic growth, and environmental responsibility.

Oduwole emphasised that Coca-Cola’s investment aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a self-sustaining and prosperous nation.

Coca-Cola disclosed it has plans to increase the use of recycled plastic in its packaging to 30-35 per cent globally and collect 70-75 per cent of bottles and cans introduced into the market by 2035.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to the country’s economy, highlighting its contribution of over $1.5bn to Nigeria’s economy over the past decade with its recently announced plans to invest an additional $1bn over the next five years.

The Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC, Zoran Bogdanovic, highlighted the collection hub’s economic and environmental benefits: “This facility represents a significant milestone in our journey of reducing waste by collecting and recycling our packaging in Nigeria. By investing in the hub, we are supporting local communities and creating jobs, as well as demonstrating our commitment to building a more sustainable future in a country that is integral to the success of our business.”

President of Coca-Cola’s Africa Operating Unit, Luisa Ortega, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Nigeria, saying, “For nearly 75 years, the Coca-Cola System has been honoured to be part of communities in Nigeria. Through collaboration with local and global partners, we will continue to expand our design innovations, explore new collection models, invest in local infrastructure, and engage with communities to help create a better-shared future.”

Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Enoh, commended the initiative, noting that it “redefines Nigeria’s industrial landscape by merging manufacturing with sustainability.”

He added that “the establishment of this hub demonstrates what happens when industries rise beyond profit and embrace environmental responsibility.”