Coca-Cola Partners African Cleanup Initiative for Community Recycling Project

Economies around the world are fighting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, not least in Nigeria, which has since tackled its own fiscal challenges.

In addition to this growing concern, the implementation of a statewide lockdown across some Nigerian states in April, further impacted overall economic activities across sectors, culminating in the loss of employment for some and closure of several small businesses.

For communities that are home to indigent populations in Nigeria, these effects were also felt as rural artisanry remains the predominant vocation in such areas.

To support such communities during these critical times, The Coca-Cola Foundation through its local implementing partner, African Cleanup Initiative (ACI), kicked off its flagship “RecyclesPay COVID-19 Support” project which seeks to assist low-income families by encouraging recycling practices within such communities. 

Through this project, families are encouraged to donate their plastic bottles and are provided tokens in the form of double the amount originally paid for these recyclables per kilogram.

The RecyclesPay program, originally launched in 2019, allowed parents to cover a portion of their children’s school fees at some selected primary schools, by donating PET bottles which are subsequently handed over to ACI for onward recycling. 

These recovered PET bottles are handed over to recycling companies and the proceeds channeled into RecyclesPay “Plastic-For-Tuition” project with the goal of paying the tuition fees of over 2000 vulnerable students who cannot afford it.

Presently, the program is lending a much-needed hand to communities around Lagos through its COVID-19 support program themed “Double-Double”.

This is done by rewarding residents who donate plastic waste with N40 per kilogram of recyclables as against the initial standard of N20. 

The Double-Double program which kicked off July 2 at Ijora-Oloye community in the Apapa area of Lagos State, is set to be rolled out in the coming weeks to three other communities across Lagos namely Sango, Epe and Ajegunle communities.

Organised at the Ijora-Oloye Community Development Association Hall and widely attended by residents, the program saw several beneficiaries emerge with attendees receiving face masks as part of the program’s support.

Mrs. Muniratu Raimi, one of several beneficiaries remarked, “I have been gathering these PET bottles for over a year and was hoping to pay my house rent from the proceeds. With the 9570 Naira I received from donating 239.2 kg of PET bottles, I no longer have to worry about shelter for my children”. 

Present at the event, Alexander Akhigbe, Founder of African Cleanup Initiative explained, “This program was organised to show our support to communities that have been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic while promoting better recycling habits in these areas. We are grateful for the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation to help uplift more families”.

Speaking on the initiative, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, applauded the program and said, “The global pandemic has affected countless communities across Nigeria. With programs like this, our goal is to support as many people as possible while also fostering a world without waste. We are proud to be associated with the African Cleanup Initiative as we educate more families to adopt proper recycling practices”.

Through The Coca-Cola Foundation, the African Cleanup Initiative has pioneered two recycling projects – RecyclesPay and Clean-Up Naija, both of which are addressing the recycling challenges in rural communities.