Coca-Cola and PepsiCo Lead Nigeria's Plastic Pollution Crisis

A report by Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) and GAIA Africa has identified Coca-Cola and PepsiCo as leading contributors to the growing plastic pollution crisis in Nigeria. The audit, which collected 298,174 pieces of plastic waste across eight cities, highlighted that multinational beverage companies are significant contributors to the country's plastic waste problem.

The report indicates that Nigeria produces an estimated 2.5 million metric tons of plastic waste each year, with only a small fraction being recycled. The audit revealed that sachets, plastic bottles, bags, and wrappers dominate Nigeria's waste stream.

Major contributors identified alongside Coca-Cola and PepsiCo include Nestlé and Rite Foods. The report emphasizes that the plastic pollution issue is exacerbated by corporate practices prioritizing profit over environmental concerns, as explained by Weyinmi Okoti, the BFFP Africa Clean Air Program Manager.

The findings confirm long-standing community beliefs regarding the sources of plastic pollution in Nigeria.