Rite Foods clears 40 tonnes of plastic waste in Lagos, expands sustainability drive

NIGERIA – Rite Foods Limited has announced the successful removal of 40 tonnes of plastic waste from Lagos as part of the 2025 Plastic Free July campaign, underscoring its growing role in environmental stewardship and community empowerment.

The clean-up initiative was anchored under the company’s Riteonthebeach project in partnership with Pop Beach Club, a Lagos-based eco-resort, and supported by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It combined large-scale beach clean-ups with community education to tackle plastic pollution at the source.

During the campaign, Rite Foods distributed more than 30,000 recovery bags across neighborhoods and malls, including Ikeja City Mall, encouraging residents to collect and recycle plastics.

Employees of the company also took part, sorting and returning plastics collected from communities.

In July alone, 288kg of post-consumer PET bottles were recovered, leading to an estimated 293.76kg of CO₂-equivalent emissions savings.

“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,” said Rite Foods Managing Director, Seleem Adegunwa.

Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Ekuma Eze, emphasized the importance of shared responsibility in addressing plastic waste.

“Every bottle recovered is one less hazard to our waterways, biodiversity, and climate. Plastic is not the problem, improper disposal is, and we are leading the charge for a sustainable solution through Riteonthebeach,” he stated.

Pop Beach Club convener, Akin Disu, noted that the collaboration has contributed to the removal of thousands of tons of plastic from Lagos shorelines since inception, while also creating awareness among young people about the value of recycling.

Beyond clean-ups, the partnership supports job creation and educational initiatives. Proceeds from recycled plastics are directed into community projects such as back-to-school programs, turning waste into resources that benefit local families.

Nigeria, which generates an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, faces mounting pressure to strengthen recycling systems.

Initiatives like Riteonthebeach complement government-led campaigns such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and align with the global push for circular economy models.

Rite Foods, best known for its Bigi Drinks, Fearless Energy Drinks, Sosa Fruit Drinks, and sausage brands, has positioned sustainability as a core part of its business strategy.

Its latest efforts highlight how private sector engagement can accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward a cleaner, greener future.

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