Kayode Tokede
In commemoration of the 2025 World Environment Day, International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), said it has carried out a series of environmental activities across its operational sites in Nigeria.
The activities were conducted under the framework of Africa Sustainability Week, an AB InBev regional initiative designed to drive awareness and coordinated sustainability efforts across the company鈥檚 key markets in the continent.
The company said the efforts were aimed at reducing plastic pollution in urban and semi-urban environments, while also fostering environmental responsibility among residents.
鈥淪ustainability is not just a corporate goal, it is a way of life for us at International Breweries,鈥 said Carlos Coutino, Managing Director of International Breweries. We are proud to join the world in celebrating this important day by taking real action from restoring land and cleaning our rivers to promoting circularity in packaging. We believe in leaving the environment better than we met it, and that requires commitment, collaboration, and consistency.鈥
Continuing, Coutino said: 鈥淲e had made circular packaging a key focus of our sustainability strategy. Over 95 per cent of our product portfolio is packaged in returnable glass bottles, a measure aimed at reducing waste and supporting reuse models in line with our circular economy sustainability pillar鈥
In addition, International Breweries recovered over 200,000 kilograms of post- consumer PET and flexible plastic from the environment in 2024 through its partnership with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA). The effort is part of its compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and broader environmental stewardship goals.
鈥淲e recognise that our responsibility to the environment extends beyond compliance, it鈥檚 about leadership and long-term impact,鈥 said Temitope Oguntokun, Corporate Affairs & Regulatory Director at International Breweries. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檝e set bold 2025 goals to ensure 100 per cent of our product packaging is either returnable or made from predominantly recycled materials. These aren鈥檛 just targets they鈥檙e part of our core purpose to create a future with more cheers, for people and the planet.鈥
At each brewery location, the company also engaged with residents and local authorities through sensitisation campaigns. In Lagos, waste sorting demonstrations and plastic recycling talks were held to improve public awareness on how individual behaviours impact the environment.
鈥淥ur collaboration with manufacturers like International Breweries is a demonstration of our collective commitment to beat plastic pollution,鈥 said Agharese Onaghise, Executive Director of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance. 鈥淏y supporting community-based recovery and launching collection hubs in places like Osogbo, Mararaba and Nasarawa, we are helping ensure post-consumer packaging is diverted from waterways and landfills into recycling value chains.鈥