In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability and social inclusion, Nestlé Nigeria has rolled out a comprehensive Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) Training Program, directly benefiting 100 plastic waste workers across Lagos and Abuja.
This initiative is designed to bolster the safety and well-being of these vital workers while simultaneously promoting their dignity and empowering them within Nigeria's burgeoning plastics recycling value chain.
The program, which received robust support from key environmental and industry bodies including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), and the Food Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), covered a wide array of essential topics.
Participants were trained on best practices in occupational health and safety, the responsible handling of recyclable materials, crucial fire prevention and rescue techniques, and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Each of the 100 trainees will also receive their PPE kits, ensuring they can apply their new knowledge in safer working conditions, fostering a healthier environment for themselves and their communities.
Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead for Nestlé Nigeria, underscored the company's motivation behind the initiative.
She emphasised Nestlé’s unwavering commitment to fostering a waste-free future and acknowledged the indispensable role plastic waste workers play in transforming this vision into reality.
"At Nestlé, we are committed to building a waste-free future and recognise the crucial role plastic waste workers play in reducing pollution and facilitating a circular economy.
"This training is a vital component of our support for this key stakeholder group, enhancing Nigeria’s waste management infrastructure.
“By equipping these essential workers with the necessary skills and knowledge, we help to improve their quality of life while increasing their employability and boosting productivity within a sustainable waste management framework,” Uwadoka stated.
During the opening ceremony held in Abuja, Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director General of NESREA, lauded Nestlé's dedication to environmental sustainability and its foresight in prioritising the health and safety of frontline waste managers.
"I commend Nestlé Nigeria Plc. for its commitment towards environmental sustainability and for prioritising the health and safety of those at the frontline of waste management.
"Waste workers are often unrecognised yet play a crucial role in our national effort to combat plastic pollution in our environment.
“The focus on training waste workers is commendable, especially at a time when the world is seeking solutions to the prevailing challenges relating to plastic waste management," Prof. Barikor remarked.
Responding on behalf of the enthusiastic trainees at the Lagos event, Engr. Mayowa Elefin, MD of Maladase Ecopreneur Management Company Limited, expressed appreciation for the initiative.
"This training is an impactful initiative which aligns with our commitment to promoting a safe, healthy, and sustainable work environment across our plastic recycling value chain.
"It has provided valuable knowledge and practical skills that will greatly benefit our staff, enhancing their capacity to maintain safe operations, ensure healthier workplaces, and ultimately improve productivity," Elefin commented.
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