Lagos — In a major push for environmental sustainability, Rite Foods Limited has removed 40 tons of plastic waste from Lagos during the global Plastic Free July campaign, reinforcing its role as a leader in corporate environmental responsibility.
The clean-up was carried out under the company’s multi-award-winning Riteonthebeach project, in partnership with Pop Beach Club and with support from the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The campaign featured community engagement activities at Ikeja City Mall and the distribution of over 30,000 recovery bags to residents, encouraging them to collect and recycle plastics. The initiative builds on Rite Foods’ ongoing beach clean-up efforts aimed at reducing plastic pollution and advancing a circular economy in Lagos.
Managing Director Seleem Adegunwa disclosed that company employees also participated actively, recovering 288kg of post-consumer PET bottles in July alone, which prevented an estimated 293.76kg of CO₂ equivalent emissions.
“This result reinforces our belief that collective and consistent actions yield lasting impact,” Adegunwa said. “Riteonthebeach is more than a campaign—it’s a lifestyle change that supports Lagos State’s vision for a sustainable, clean, and healthy environment.”
Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Mr. Ekuma Eze, emphasised that Rite Foods takes full responsibility for its product life cycle, from use to recycling.
“Our campaign proved that sustainable solutions to plastic waste are possible when communities, companies, and governments work together,” Eze said. “Plastic is not the problem—improper disposal is. Every bottle recovered is one less hazard to our waterways, biodiversity, and climate.”
According to Akin Disu, convener of Pop Beach Club, the partnership has already resulted in the removal of thousands of tons of plastics from Lagos shorelines. Beyond clean-ups, the collaboration is creating jobs and educational opportunities, enabling shoreline communities to exchange collected plastics for recycling proceeds that fund back-to-school programmes for children in underserved areas.
Rite Foods, recently named Food Company of the Year 2024 at the Independent Media Awards, produces a wide range of popular products, including 13 Bigi carbonated drink variants, Bigi Premium Drinking Water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, and its well-known sausage rolls, all manufactured in its world-class facility.
