Nigeria’s popular beverage company, Seven-Up Bottling Company, bottlers of Nigerian top Cola brand, Pepsi has collaborated with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to drive the Trash-for-Cash Initiative in Lagos.

This partnership was established at an event that took place at Jubilee Model Grammar School, Aguda, Lagos.

The Trash-for-Cash program has been designed to help encourage converting recyclable materials and making them reusable for everyday purposes while also leveraging this to sanitize the environment, reduce global warming and boost employment and wealth creation.

As a partner, Seven-Up Bottling Company will help to further boost the efforts of the agency to reach other areas within the state and help record more milestones for the partners.

The Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company, Ziad Maalouf in his address at the event, highlighted that Seven-Up Bottling Company will remain committed to ensuring the best for Nigeria and a key part of this commitment is to see that we can see Nigerians live in a safer and cleaner environment.

“As a leading provider of Nigeria’s foremost beverage, there can not be a more urgent time to have such an initiative that educates Lagosians on proper disposal methods. Beyond creating wealth, proper disposal of these materials helps in the prevention of an unhealthy environment and it is good that they can be recycled into chairs, tables, footwear, and other plastic reusable.

“Once again, I am happy that the Lagos state government set this initiative in motion. I truly believe it will fulfill its course,” he added.

The program had in attendance some state dignitaries such as Lagos State Permanent Secretary of Environment Services; Dr. Gaji Tajudeen Omobolaji, Education Secretary, Surulere, Tunde Awoyelu; Deputy Political and Economic Chief at the US Consulate, Kenise Hill; President of Lagos state Recyclable Materials Association Dr. Femi Adegoke amongst others.

The event aimed at deepening the mandate of the LASEPA initiative to continue to inspire and encourage Lagosians to rethink how plastic waste should be disposed of.

The General manager of LASEPA, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe while addressing stakeholders highlighted some of the huge milestones recorded with this initiative across the state. Part of the objectives is to impact the lives of Lagosians by making them more environmentally aware and cautious while also empowering them.

“A major reason for this initiative is to aid the sanitization of Lagos and create employment for many. With Trash For Cash, single-use plastics will seize to end up in the dumpsite. This is because we educate the public on the dangers associated with the wrong disposal of these plastics. We encourage them to pick these plastics and sell them to us.

“We understand that recycling is a great way to move our economy forward by creating jobs, increasing businesses and investment opportunities, and social impact. Trash For Cash also helps in protecting the environment by keeping people aware of the harm these materials can cause if not properly disposed of”, Dr. Fasawe said.

The General Manager of Marketing, SBC, Segun Ogunleye shared the power of brands and their pivotal role in steering environmental change.

“At SBC, we believe in the transformative power of corporate social responsibility, and we stand committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve. Together, we have the opportunity to turn waste into wealth to create a sustainable future and preserve the beauty of our environment which is what we have come here to show the people of Surulere”, he said.

Both LASEPA and SBC have committed to seeing the vision come alive for Lagosians across every facet of the state.

The event garnered widespread attention and participation, with SBC executives and government officials in attendance to express their commitment to promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices within communities across Lagos State.