FIC Report (Lagos State) – The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, FBRA, has taken its campaign for a cleaner Nigeria to schools and streets, recovering more than three metric tonnes of recyclable waste and launching a new community collection centre to commemorate World Environment Day 2026.
Over two days in Lagos, FBRA reached more than 1,250 students and residents through targeted education and a buyback drive, in what officials described as practical steps to advance Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.
The activities kicked off on June 4, 2026 at Gbaja Boys High School, Surulere.
More than 250 students from both junior and senior secondary classes filled the school hall for sessions on the environmental, social and economic cost of poor waste management. Facilitators from NESREA broke down the principles of a circular economy and challenged the students to take ownership of waste in their communities.
Representatives of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and LAWMA were also present, a show of collaboration between regulators and the Producer Responsibility model being driven by FBRA.
FBRA member companies supported the day with refreshments and gift items for the students.
Speaking at the session, FBRA Executive Director, Agharese Onaghise, said the Alliance was deliberate about catching them young.
“When we reach young people in their schools, we are not just educating them about recycling,” she told the students. “We are building the generation that will change the narrative on improper waste disposal by taking action.”
The focus shifted to Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area on June 5, 2026, for community engagement and direct waste recovery.
FBRA led an awareness walk through the streets of Igando, with volunteers engaging more than 1,000 residents on proper waste disposal and the economic value of post-consumer packaging.
The walk was followed by a product buyback programme that drew over 400 residents. Under the scheme, households exchanged sachets, bottles and other packaging waste for food, beverages and household items donated by FBRA member companies.
By the end of the exercise, FBRA had recovered more than three metric tonnes of post-consumer packaging waste, materials that would have otherwise ended up in drains and dumpsites.
For many residents, it was the first time they saw waste as money. One participant noted that the initiative had “opened our eyes to see that what we throw away can actually feed us at home.”
The highlight of the day was the official launch of a new FBRA-UNIDO recyclables collection centre in Igando, to be managed by West Africa ENRG. The facility is the third to be completed under the project.
According to FBRA, the centre will serve as a permanent drop-off point where households and small businesses can deposit recyclables for processing.
Stakeholders say the hub is expected to improve access to recycling services in Alimosho and support Nigeria’s broader circular economy goals.
The launch drew representatives from NESREA, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, LAWMA, LASTMA, GIZ, and other partners.
FBRA acknowledged the contributions of its member companies, government agencies, NGOs and community leaders who made the activities possible.
The Alliance used the occasion to renew its call for stronger support for the Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR, framework across all levels of government.
“We need increased participation by producers in organised packaging waste recovery systems,” Onaghise stated. “FBRA remains committed to working with NESREA, state environmental agencies, recyclers, collectors and communities to expand recovery infrastructure and strengthen the systems needed to track Nigeria’s progress in packaging waste recovery.”
With a school outreach, a community buyback, and a new collection centre in 48 hours, FBRA says World Environment Day 2026 was not just about awareness, but about proving that collaboration between producers, regulators, recyclers and residents can deliver measurable results.
Dimaka Chioma
Deputy Director
Information/Public Relations
17 / 07 / 2026 .
