Coca-Cola Supports LoopLab Initiative Improve ‘New Economy’ In Waste Disposal

 As part of its efforts in supporting circular exchange economy, now regarded as the ‘New Economy’ and bridging the gap in the area of effective waste management, and also ensuring that every bottle being put out in the market is recovered and recycled into another bottle, Coca-Cola Nigeria has thrown its full support behind LoopLab Incubation Program and Research Fellowship.

The event held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island is themed “Circular Exchange -The New Economy.” The term “exchange was used to imagine a future where information about circular business opportunities is easily accessible and trade between circular businesses is well established.

Speaking at the event, Director, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe said that Coca-Cola is not just supporting this initiative for supporting sake but it’s an initiative so dear to Coca-Cola’s core values.

Coca-Cola Supports LoopLab Initiative Improve ‘New Economy’ In Waste Disposal

According to her, it is no longer news that there is a clear gap in the area of sustainable infrastructure and effective waste management. This is why Coca-Cola Nigeria continues to form partnerships with various stakeholders like civil societies, the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, customers, and government agencies in the quest to building effective and innovative waste management infrastructures for sustainable waste management.

In her words, “In executing these interventions, we in Coca-Cola have over the years, supported and funded NGOs such as the Growing Businesses Foundation, Nigeria Climate Innovation Center, African Clean Up Initiative, Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP), Platform for Society Support Initiative, Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi), Do Good Social Impact Foundation, WASTE AFRICA, Recycle Points Foundation, and the recent one, FABE International Foundation.”

Amaka said that the beauty of the initiative is to ensure that sure that anyone who brings in separated wastes (pet bottles and cans) for recycling at various drop-off centers is rewarded with cash incentives.

This strategy, according to the Coca-Cola public affairs manager is to use this to empower women and youths within the communities and to create awareness for people so that fewer wastes end up in our drainage and oceans.

Also, to help improve the livelihood of people living in the community, so that they can realise that plastic bottles are not total waste after all, with the end result being to create a healthy environment for everyone.

The Circular Lagos Challenge and the LOOPLab Incubation Programme is an innovation challenge programme which pairs start-ups to more established companies. Launched by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP), it seeks to grow the market for “Circular Economy” products and services in ways that benefit producers, consumers, and communities across Lagos.

In a “Circular Economy,” waste is designed to support production and value chains. This calls for less extraction of carbon-intensive resources and less trash that harms our health and the environment. Also, Circular Economy businesses are also expected to stimulate local economic growth and create meaningful job opportunities.

The Circular Business Platform – An independent organization is designed to promote the development of circular business and investment activity in Lagos. The Platform was conceived through an initial Circular Economy business research study identified by The Netherlands Consulate in Lagos and financed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. The Platform has been developed in partnership with business, research and advocacy organizations, Lagos State Government and supported by the Netherlands Consulate in Lagos.

BY IYABO AINA

Publisher Of News Rain Nigeria