Yemisi Izuora
Over 60,000 children across 100 primary schools in Lagos State recovered more than 1 million used MILO wrappers through the MILO Elevate Recycling Initiative to mark World Environment Day 2026.
The Initiative combined sustainability education with a school-based recycling competition. In addition to the collection of used wrappers, the children received lessons on responsible waste management and practical exposure to recycling and circularity principles.
For 26 years, MILO has contributed to youth development through grassroots sports programmes. Through the Elevate Recycling Initiative, the brand is extending its commitment to nurturing future champions beyond the values of sports, by helping children develop environmental awareness and positive sustainability habits.
Speaking at the awards ceremony on World Environment Day, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Manager, MILO, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, said, “At MILO, we believe that nurturing children includes helping them build the values, habits and mindset needed to thrive and make a positive contribution to society.
Through the Elevate Recycling Initiative, we are encouraging children to understand that small everyday actions can create meaningful environmental impact. Just as we have inspired generations of future sports champions, we are proud to contribute to raising future climate champions.”
Commenting on the initiative, Stephen Avoseh, Deputy Director of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said, “Implementing this initiative through schools creates an opportunity for children to learn about environmental responsibility and share these lessons with their families and communities. Schools play an important role in building lasting awareness and positive environmental habits.”
The behavioural impact of the initiative was also evident among participating pupils. Treasure John told us that the programme deepened her understanding of how improper waste disposal contributes to environmental pollution and flooding, while encouraging her to adopt more responsible waste management habits.
In a practical demonstration of how materials that might otherwise be considered as waste can be recovered and given a new purpose, the Rotaract District 9112 led an upcycling project that transformed the recovered wrappers into 1,013 items including school bags, lunch bags and pencil cases. These items were donated to participating schools and awarded to top-performing pupils.
The success of the Elevate Recycling Initiative reinforces MILO’s conviction that deepening environmental education and encouraging responsible waste management practices among children and communities can support a circular economy. It also contributes to Nestlé Nigeria’s broader sustainability and circularity agenda to build the awareness, values and behaviours needed to achieve and protect a cleaner and more sustainable future.