Coca-Cola, PepsiCo Among Top Polluters in Lagos, Audit Reveals

The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, CWAY Group, Viju Industries, and Rite Foods have been identified as Lagos's top five polluting parent companies. This information was revealed as part of the outcome of a brand audit and cleanup exercise.

Polluting Brands and Event Details

EnviroNews Nigeria reported that the audit was conducted by Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) Nigeria in collaboration with Waste Pickers of Lagos (ASWOL) and Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). CWAY, Mr. V, Coca-Cola, 7-up, and La Casera are the top five polluting brands. The exercise occurred on November 7, 2023, at Agege's Transfer Loading Station, hosted by LAWMA.

During the audit, it was discovered that food packages, including bottle and sachet components, accounted for 3,538 plastics, constituting roughly 99% of the plastic brand pollutants. Household products, packaging materials, and personal care products accounted for 39 plastics, approximately 1% of the plastic brand pollutants. Most plastic types identified were Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), totaling 1,296 plastics.

The audit also highlighted the emerging environmental hazard caused by dispensing alcoholic drinks in sachets. This practice contributes significantly to pollution.

Concerns with Multi-Layered Plastics (MLPs)

Mr. Friday Oku, president of ASWOL, emphasized the growing menace of waste from multi-layered plastics due to their limited value. A representative from LAWMA commended the initiative and acknowledged the importance of addressing plastic waste challenges.

3,577 plastics were audited, including food and household products, packaging materials, and personal care products.

The objectives of the audit include raising awareness about the health effects of plastic pollution, providing data on the plastic pollutants and identifying the responsible companies, holding corporate organizations accountable for their plastic pollution, and urging regulatory actions to eliminate single-use plastics in Nigeria.

In October, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé emerged as the most frequently identified companies by the Break Free From Plastic movement in 239 cleanups and brand audits across 42 countries and six continents. This global observation highlights these corporations' significant role in plastic waste management, as per a press release.

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