By Ayomide Otitoju
Rite Foods Limited has partnered with RecyclePoints to launch the “Waste-Is-Naira” (W.I.N) initiative, a community-driven programme aimed at promoting recycling and advancing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled at the company’s headquarters in Opebi, Lagos, is designed to convert plastic waste into economic value while strengthening sustainable waste management practices in line with national environmental goals.
Supported by key stakeholders including the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, the programme introduces a structured system for the collection and recycling of post-consumer packaging.
Under the scheme, residents can exchange used plastic bottles and beverage cans for cash, creating income opportunities while encouraging responsible waste disposal. The initiative is projected to recover over 750 tonnes of plastic waste annually.
Speaking at the launch, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods, Ekuma Eze, said the programme reflects the company’s commitment to closing the loop on its packaging materials and embedding sustainability into its operations.
He noted that the initiative builds on previous environmental campaigns and introduces a more structured, incentive-based approach to recycling that encourages behavioural change at the community level.
Programme Manager at RecyclePoints, Daniel Oderinde, explained that participants will be provided with designated collection bags to promote waste sorting, with materials weighed and digitally recorded at collection hubs before payments are processed.
Stakeholders at the event commended the initiative for aligning with regulatory standards and strengthening public-private collaboration. Officials from LASEPA and LAWMA described it as a timely intervention supporting Lagos State’s environmental and waste management objectives.
Also speaking, Akin Disu highlighted the broader socio-economic impact of the programme, noting that it redefines waste as a resource capable of generating livelihoods.
Executive Secretary of FBRA, Arese Onigise, said the initiative represents a scalable model for implementing EPR, adding that it integrates consumers and informal waste collectors into a formal recycling value chain.
Rite Foods said the W.I.N initiative is expected to create jobs, empower waste collectors, and contribute to the development of a circular economy, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive growth.
