…Encourages innovative recycling
Cyriacus Nnaji
In its quest for a greener environment, sustainability, and the protection of aquatic life along shoreline communities in Lagos, Rite Foods Limited, Nigeria’s food and beverage manufacturer, continued its ongoing initiative of cleaning up plastics from beaches through its award-winning program ‘Riteonthebeach.’ A recent clean-up exercise was held at Tarkwa Bay beach on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
Rite Foods’ sustainability journey is highlighted by its impactful initiative known as ‘Riteonthebeach.’ This initiative, launched in collaboration with Popbeachclub, an eco-resort in Lagos, focuses on cleaning up plastic waste from beaches. Since its inception in August 2021, ‘Riteonthebeach’ has effectively removed more than 180,000 pieces of plastic from coastal areas. This vital program extends beyond just cleanup efforts; it encourages local residents to actively engage in plastic collection and establishes systems for recycling as a means of creating jobs and enriching the community. The funds generated from this initiative are used to provide school supplies for the children living along the Lagos shorelines.
Seleem Adegunwa, the Managing Director of Rite Foods, aptly emphasised their shared mission, stating, “We are committed to promoting innovation, supporting sustainability, and creating a cleaner environment through collaborative efforts.”
This event shows Rite Foods’ dedication to preserving aquatic life and promoting a sustainable environment. This event brought attention to the importance of wetlands in the Ilado area of Lagos State, which play a crucial role in the ecosystem by supporting migratory birds and serving as fish nurseries. Unfortunately, these wetlands face threats from plastic pollution and sand dredgers.
Mr. Akin Disu, the Founder of Popbeachclub stated, “It is important for people to recognise that plastics are not mere rubbish; they hold value and can be recycled. They should be collected from the environment rather than being disposed of in wetlands to protect the fish and migratory birds that inhabit those areas.”
He further highlighted that children in coastal areas bring 22 plastic bottles collected by their parents to school daily. The students with the highest numbers of plastics collected in a term are given scholarships. These bottles are then processed by women in the community as part of a job creation initiative. He called for a widespread adoption of such practices, not only in coastal areas but also in cities, where separating plastics at their source and recycling them can prevent environmental pollution.
Rite Foods’ dedication to cleaning Lagos shoreline communities was praised by Disu, who encouraged other organisations to follow their lead. Beyond their well-known product lineup, which includes award-winning variants of the Bigi carbonated soft drink brand, premium Bigi Premium Water, Fearless energy drink, Sosa fruit drink, Bigi, and Rite Sausages, Rite Foods is playing a vital role in supporting sustainable initiatives. They also organise training sessions to empower recyclers in Lagos to employ innovative approaches to recycling.
