Beverage firm promotes sustainability with environmental education in schools

A food and beverage firm has pushed sustainability a notch higher by taking environmental education directly to schoolchildren, creating awareness on recycling, and responsible waste management among young Nigerians.

The firm, Rite Foods Limited, carried out the education and awareness campaign as part of activities marking this year’s World Environment Day (WED). That was their response to growing environmental and economic challenges that climate change has continued to pose globally.

The company organised sustainability-focused activities at Opebi Senior Grammar School, Ikeja, Lagos State, and Moslem Primary School, Ijebu-Ososa, Ogun State, where students participated in environmental awareness sessions, waste segregation demonstrations, recycling and upcycling exercises, interactive engagements, and tree-planting activities.

The initiative, which aligns with Rite Foods’ environmental and education pillars, is aimed at instilling sustainable habits in children and empowering them to become advocates for environmental protection within their homes and communities.

Speaking at the event, Ekuma Eze, the company’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, explained that the company deliberately chose schools because children represent the next generation of environmental stewards.

“The environment is a collective responsibility. Climate action starts with all of us, and it starts now. By educating children at an impressionable age, we are equipping them with habits and values that will remain with them throughout their lives and help shape a more sustainable future,” Eze said.

He warned that rising global temperatures, increasing carbon emissions, ocean warming, flooding and sea-level rise are clear indicators that climate change is already affecting communities across the world.

“Nature has a way of balancing itself, but human activities have significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions. We must take deliberate actions today to ensure future generations inherit a healthier environment,” he added.

Beyond awareness creation, Eze highlighted the company’s broader sustainability efforts, noting that Rite Foods has integrated environmental responsibility into its manufacturing operations through investments in cleaner energy sources, energy-efficient technologies and low-emission infrastructure.

According to him, the company operates a unique energy mix comprising 92 percent gas, 6.5 percent diesel and 1.5 percent solar energy, helping to keep its carbon intensity significantly below industry averages.

A major pillar of the company’s environmental strategy is its Waste-Is-Naira (WIN) initiative, launched in partnership with RecyclePoints. The programme incentivises communities to exchange used plastic bottles and beverage cans for cash, creating economic value from waste while reducing environmental pollution.

The initiative is projected to facilitate the recovery of more than 750 tonnes of plastic waste annually, supporting Nigeria’s transition to a circular economy.

Also speaking during the programme, Chinedu Azih of Kazin Kits educated students on the principles of the circular economy and the importance of recycling in reducing plastic pollution.

“Waste should not be viewed as something to be discarded. Through recycling and upcycling, materials can be transformed into valuable resources, reducing environmental pollution and supporting a more sustainable economy,” Azih said.

She explained how post-consumer plastic waste can be collected, processed and reintroduced into production systems, giving students practical insights into how recycling contributes to environmental conservation and economic development.

The World Environment Day outreach reflects Rite Foods’ belief that sustainability is not a one-off campaign but an ongoing commitment embedded in its business operations and community engagement efforts.

By taking climate education directly to classrooms, the company hopes to inspire a generation of environmentally conscious citizens capable of driving long-term change.