By Ayomide Otitoju
Rite Foods Limited, a leading Nigerian food and beverage company, has removed 40 tons of plastic waste from Lagos as part of the global Plastic Free July campaign, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The initiative, driven by the company’s multi-award-winning Riteonthebeach project in partnership with Pop Beach Club and supported by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), featured extensive community engagement, including activations at Ikeja City Mall and the distribution of over 30,000 recovery bags to residents to promote plastic collection and recycling.
According to Managing Director Seleem Adegunwa, Rite Foods employees also participated directly, sorting and returning plastics that resulted in the recovery of 288kg of post-consumer PET bottles and the prevention of 293.76kg CO₂ equivalent emissions in July alone.
“This result reinforces our belief that collective and consistent actions yield lasting impact. Riteonthebeach is a lifestyle change that supports Lagos State’s vision for a sustainable, clean, and healthy environment,” Adegunwa said.
Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Ekuma Eze stressed the company’s responsibility for its products throughout their lifecycle, noting that plastic pollution stems from improper disposal, not the material itself.
“Our campaign showed that sustainable solutions to plastic waste are possible when communities, companies, and governments work together,” Eze stated. “By keeping plastics out of our waters, we protect ecosystems and open doors for recycling innovations that transform waste into valuable products.”
Pop Beach Club Convener Akin Disu added that the partnership has collected thousands of tons of plastics from Lagos shorelines, while also creating jobs and educational opportunities. Collected waste plastics are exchanged for recycling, with proceeds funding back-to-school programs for children in underserved communities.
Rite Foods, recently named Food Company of the Year 2024 at the Independent Media Awards, continues to serve Nigeria with a wide product range, including 13 Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink variants, Bigi Premium Drinking Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, and its popular sausage rolls, all produced in a world-class facility.
