Promoting circular economy and environmental conservation through eco-friendly initiatives – Rite Foods’ model

Environmental protection has long been a central issue at international fora, underscoring its importance to global development and sustainability. The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, recently reaffirmed her strong commitment to embedding environmental considerations into all of the organisation’s operations and programmes. Drawing on UNESCO’s expertise in sustainability and climate action, she emphasised the need to “bring about sustainability from within.”

In recognition of this global urgency, the United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and its Governing Council in 1972, creating the institutional and financial framework for international cooperation. This initiative catalysed the development of over ten global environmental treaties, hundreds of regional and bilateral agreements, and far-reaching action plans such as Agenda 21, the UN’s blueprint for sustainable development at global, national, and local levels.

 “Through such initiatives, Rite Foods reinforces the message that environmental protection is not only a global responsibility but also a corporate obligation.”

Agenda 21 highlighted the defining challenge of humanity: widening inequalities, persistent poverty and hunger, deteriorating health and education, and the ongoing destruction of ecosystems. It stressed that integrating environmental and developmental priorities could meet basic needs, improve living standards, safeguard ecosystems, and secure a more prosperous and sustainable future.

These concerns reached a critical milestone at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro. The Summit marked a turning point in global policy by merging two issues that had previously been addressed in isolation: environmental protection and economic development. For developing nations, this was a breakthrough, offering hope for stronger North-South cooperation and greater economic justice. The Summit yielded landmark outcomes, including two legally binding treaties, the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as the Rio Declaration, forest management principles, and the comprehensive Agenda 21 plan.

A key outcome of Rio was the global recognition of clean energy as central to combating environmental degradation and climate change. Today, the International Day of Clean Energy, declared by the UN General Assembly in 2023, raises awareness and mobilises collective action toward a fair and inclusive energy transition. This shift is critical: most greenhouse gas emissions originate from burning fossil fuels for electricity and heat, which blanket the Earth and accelerate global warming.

Despite progress, the world remains off track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which targets universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030. Without dramatic reductions in emissions, global temperatures could rise by 2.9°C this century — a catastrophic scenario for human survival. UNEP, aligned with the Paris Agreement, continues to spearhead urgent measures to counter this threat.

At the national level, private sector players have stepped up to complement global efforts.

Read also: Rite Foods champions World Clean-Up Day, commits to sustainability

Rite Foods Limited, Nigeria’s food and beverage company, has embedded sustainability thinking into its operations from inception. The company invests heavily in cleaner energy solutions, relying on gas-powered generators and a solar farm to meet its energy needs, with zero dependence on the national grid. Currently, gas and solar account for over 95% of Rite Foods’ energy sources, a strategy that has significantly reduced carbon emissions compared to diesel-powered alternatives while ensuring efficient, reliable, and environmentally responsible production.

Through such initiatives, Rite Foods reinforces the message that environmental protection is not only a global responsibility but also a corporate obligation. Its leadership in clean energy offers a model for how businesses across Africa can align with global climate goals, safeguard ecosystems, and secure a greener, more sustainable future.

Against this backdrop, the company, in its commitment to environmental conservation, has been championing the cause of responsible waste management practices through plastic waste collection and recycling operations in the country, especially in Lagos coastline communities, with regular clean-up exercises at Ilashe, Tarkwa Bay beaches, and other communities at the shorelines, thereby ridding the waterways and oceans of pollution and safeguarding aquatic life that local communities depend on for their livelihoods.

The company’s sustainability programme, with Riteonthebeach, which is in partnership with Pop Beach, was launched in August 2021 and went live in the Lagos beach communities in January 2022, with success stories, and geared towards ecological protection, has effectively removed over 40 tonnes of plastics from Lagos’ environment in July 2025 alone, with a further move to scale the programme beyond the traditional collection and evacuation of plastics from the Lagos shorelines.

As a proudly Nigerian brand that is deeply committed to community development, these initiatives have been designed to not only rid communities of plastic waste but also empower residents to actively participate in plastic collection, recycling, and community enrichment. The proceeds from these recycling projects are directed toward providing essential school supplies for children in Lagos’ shoreline communities, demonstrating how environmental stewardship can directly improve lives.

The company’s commitment aligns with global observances such as World Environment Day, World Clean-Up Day, and the International Day of Clean Energy. Through its partnership with Popbeachclub, founded by eco-activist Akin Disu, Rite Foods has driven coastal clean-ups and promoted recycling as a catalyst for sustainable living. Collaborations with the Sterling One Foundation at Lafiaji Beach and with Lasgidi Recyclers at the Iru community further reinforced these efforts, ensuring that plastics and other solid wastes were removed from beaches, communities, and drainage systems.

These collaborations reinforce Rite Foods’ long-standing commitment to awareness creation on proper waste disposal and recycling, engaging staff, volunteers, and residents in coastal communities to foster healthier, cleaner environments. Community leaders and residents have consistently applauded the company for its bold vision of restoring Lagos’ beaches and waterways, particularly through plastics collection that transforms waste into resources of new value.

During the 2025 Plastic Free July Campaign, Rite Foods, through its Rite on The Beach programme, engaged residents across various cluster points and markets in Lagos, distributing recovery bags for plastic collection and creating awareness on responsible waste disposal. This initiative recorded the recovery of over 40 tonnes of plastic from Lagos’ environment. The company employees were also engaged during the challenge, with the employees resident in Lagos sorting and returning 288 kg of plastics, which helped save nearly 294 kg of CO₂ equivalent emissions, an inspiring example of collective responsibility in action.

Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rite Foods, emphasised that these actions prove how consistent, collective efforts can transform the environment and support a circular economy aligned with Lagos State’s ecological programmes.

Echoing this, Ekuma Eze, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to recycling PET bottles and promoting its flagship RiteOnTheBeach project, which has become a model for sustainable, community-driven solutions to plastic pollution.

According to Eze, if plastics continue to choke waterways and shorelines, ecosystems will lose their ability to support biodiversity. Rite Foods’ interventions, therefore, are both urgent and strategic, protecting not only the environment but also livelihoods and future generations.

Popbeachclub’s founder, Akin Disu, further praised the partnership, noting that millions of plastics have been collected through their joint efforts, which also foster literacy, employment, and scholarships for children in coastal communities.

The company’s impressive environmental track record complements its reputation as Nigeria’s Food Company of the Year 2024 at the Independent Media Awards. Its brand portfolio—featuring 13 Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink variants, Bigi Premium Drinking Water, Sosa Fruit Drink in five flavours, the market-leading Fearless Energy Drink, and Rite and Bigi Sausages—is proudly produced in a state-of-the-art facility powered by clean, sustainable technology.

Among its many laurels are Most Innovative Carbonated Soft Drink Brand of the Year (Bigi), Most Outstanding Energy Drink in Consumer Engagement (Fearless), Best Value for Money – Carbonated Drink 2023 (Bigi Cola), Best Value for Money – Energy Drink 2023 (Fearless), Best Value for Money – Sausage Brand 2023 (Bigi Sausage Roll), and Outstanding New Product of the Year – Juice 2023 (Sosa Fruit Drink).

Through its dual commitment to people and planet, Rite Foods has positioned itself not only as a leader in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector but also as a force for environmental transformation, community development, and sustainable innovation.