In a bid to tackle plastic pollution across Lagos, Rite Foods Limited has partnered with RecyclePoint to launch the ‘Waste is Naira’ initiative, a programme that converts plastic waste into monetary rewards for communities.
Speaking at the unveiling in Lagos on Tuesday, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Rite Foods, Eze Ekuma, highlighted the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. He said the initiative seeks to create an environment that sustains life and instills community pride.
“We commit to environmental sustainability. We want an environment that we are all proud of, one that can sustain life. That is why, over the years, we have partnered with experts to ensure our environment remains clean,” Ekuma stated.
Rite Foods has also collaborated with Pop Beach Club to ensure beaches remain litter-free, particularly from plastic bottles. Ekuma noted that while some coastal communities appear clean, many others still suffer from severe plastic pollution.
The new programme adopts a community-focused approach, moving from one community to another, collecting plastics and incentivizing residents to participate. Ekuma explained that collected waste will be monetized, enabling participants to earn points redeemable for cash or household items. “Many people will be able to pay their children’s school fees by returning plastics. That is why we call it ‘Waste is Naira,’” he said.
Daniel Oderinde shared that the initiative aims to recover 750 tonnes of plastic in its first year. He added that within three months, 187 tonnes are expected to be collected, scaling to 375 tonnes at six months, and reaching the 750-tonne target in one year. The project also seeks to create jobs and broader social impact within communities.
Akin Disu emphasized that plastic waste is not merely an environmental problem but represents “misplaced value.” He noted that plastics on the beaches are signals of systemic gaps in waste management, highlighting the need for structured collection and recycling efforts.
The initiative represents a practical model for environmental sustainability, community engagement, and economic empowerment, showing that waste can be transformed into tangible benefits for residents.
