By Justus Adejumoh
Copyright independent
As the world unites for World Clean-Up Day, Rite Foods Limited proudly reaffirms its commitment to building a cleaner and greener Nigeria.
Through impactful initiatives, the company continues to combat plastic pollution while empowering communities and inspiring collective action.
Rite Foods has long been at the forefront of environmental responsibility with initiatives such as Rite on the Beach and active participation in the Plastic-Free July campaign.
These programs have removed significant volumes of plastics from Nigeria’s ecosystems while also creating educational and recycling opportunities that benefit children and local communities.
The Rite on the Beach initiative focuses on protecting Nigeria’s coastlines. Through volunteer-driven clean-up drives, thousands of kilograms of plastics have been cleared from beaches and marine environments, safeguarding aquatic life and preserving natural beauty.
This year, Rite Foods expanded its efforts with Plastic-Free July, a campaign that encouraged responsible plastics disposal across Lagos. Working in collaboration with the Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Lagos State Government, the company distributed recoverable bags in malls and local communities, promoted staff waste-sorting initiatives, and directly engaged residents on the importance of proper waste segregation. The campaign led to the recovery of over 40 tons of plastic waste in just one month.
Speaking during a media tour at the company’s facilities on Thursday, Ekuma Eze, Head, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability said “World Clean-Up Day is a reminder of our shared duty to protect the environment we all depend on.
“We are setting a new standard by leading the repurposing of flexible plastics, transforming product wrappers and labels through innovation and creativity into durable school bags for children in underserved communities.
“This bold shift merges environmental responsibility with social impact, delivering hope and educational support while embedding the habit of recycling in the minds of young people and the communities around them.”
Also speaking, Dennis Aideloje, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager, noted that “As a Proudly Nigerian and Truly World-Class brand, we are committed to transforming waste into hope. Our initiatives go beyond clean-ups; they provide children in underserved communities with tools for learning and a brighter tomorrow.
“Sustainability is embedded into our processes. We actively monitor and optimize our Water Use Ratio (WUR) and Energy Use Ratio (EUR), while consistently working to reduce waste to landfill. These efforts reflect our commitment to operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, and long-term value creation.”
By transforming recovered plastic waste into useful materials like school bags, Rite Foods showcases how circular economy practices can protect the environment while delivering lasting social impact. This commitment is firmly rooted in the company’s sustainability pillar, anchored on EYEC – Education, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Development.
Looking ahead, the company remains steadfast in its mission to inspire collective action through continued partnerships with environmental organizations, community groups, and volunteers—driving change one initiative at a time.
World Cleanup Day is an annual global event held on September 20th to combat waste and pollution by mobilizing millions of volunteers to clean up their communities. Coordinated by the organization Let’s Do It! World, the day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2023 and serves as a major civic action to raise awareness and promote sustainable development through clean-up efforts and educational activities.
