Non-Alcoholic beverage giant, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (NBC), has emerged the best environmental-friendly company at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency Award organized as part of activities to mark the 2018 World Environmental Day on Thursday,June 7, 2018 in Lagos.
Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Ms. Ifeoma Okoye who represented the Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Mrs.Sade Morgan described the recognition as a welcome development adding that it is a big motivation for the company to invest more in keeping theenvironment safe and sustainable.
Morgan who attributed the honour to the invaluable contribution of staff and the management stated that NBC is fully committed to contributing its quota through various partnerships to prevent environmental pollution.
Speaking on the 2018 theme“Beat Plastic Pollution”, Okoye noted that it has become increasingly imperative for companies both local and multinationals to collaborate by devising innovative ideas that can help combat the challenges associated with waste particularly plastic bottles.
”We have great minds of students and professors who can help develop innovative ways and methods to improve the existing procedures attainable now.We must understand the impact of waste and make effort to drive discussion around finding solutions towards it. We have to drive ideas that are not limited to our markets but can be useful and will connect with the rural areas. We also have to create a disposal system that supports ongoing initiatives. Therefore, I believe the main challenge to multinationals in this society is collaboration and coming up with ideas. I believe when we work with others, we can achieve more” she said.
Presenting the award to the NBC, The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Engineer Ayodele Antonio, appreciated the significant effort NBC has played over the years to keep the environment more sustainable and safer for Nigerians.
He said: “We are all aware of the harmful effects of plastic pollution in our environment. While plastics have many valuable uses, we have become over reliant on single use or disposable plastics with severe environmental effects. At this point in our existence, we need a paradigm shift in our value system with regards to the use of plastics and we are advocating the general idea that if you cannot reuse it, refuse it”.
He further challenged other corporate bodies to emulate the efforts of NBC and be more proactive in addressing similar issues saying that there was the need for a call to action to avoid severe environmental consequences.