Seven-Up Empowers Young Environmental Leaders, Commit To Driving Sustainable Development

The Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC) has successfully concluded the sustainability week with the Green -Skill Schools challenge, championing circular economy and empowering young environmental leaders.

The firm at it’s sustainability week with the theme “Championing Circular Economy in our Business and Communities-THE SABI WAY” expressed strong commitment to driving sustainable development.

The initiative, which was part of a broader sustainability effort by SBC, brought together students, educators, environmental advocates, NGOs, and government representatives to showcase the creativity and innovation of young minds in the fight against plastic pollution through upcycling of plastic waste in pursuance of SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Production and Consumption and SDG 13 Climate Action.

Held at the SBC manufacturing plant in Ikeja, Lagos, the event brought together participants from 18 schools across the six districts of Lagos to compete in a green-themed skills challenge.

The Green Skills School Challenge focused on promoting sustainability practices, particularly plastic waste management and upcycling, while also fostering solutions aligned with the circular economy.

The Managing Director of Seven-Up Bottling Company, Ziad Maalouf, expressed pride in the
success of the event: “We are incredibly proud of these future leaders who have participated in the Green Skills School Challenge and Exhibition as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.

This initiative aligns with SBC’s core values of fostering innovation, promoting environmental awareness, and supporting the next generation of leaders who will drive the green economy forward.

It’s inspiring to see how passionate and committed the students are to making a difference. We believe that through initiatives like this, we can empower youth to become the sustainability champions of tomorrow.”

The Green Skills School Challenge attracted an overwhelming 330 applications from schools
across Lagos.

After careful consideration, three schools from each of the six districts were selected to present their sustainability projects at the grand finale event.

The students’ projects demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling plastic pollution through innovative solutions such as upcycled products and waste-to-resources initiatives.

The Special Adviser on Climate Change & Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, Titi Oshodi, who delivered keynote remarks on the importance of integrating sustainability into youth
education, commended SBC’s proactive role in driving environmental education across Lagos
State.

Representatives from NESREA, LAWMA, and other organizations also applauded SBC for its leadership in environmental education and its commitment to supporting youth-driven sustainability initiatives.

The Commissioner for Education in Lagos, represented by Mrs Grace Akinfoyewa, expressed
appreciation for SBC’s efforts to integrate environmental sustainability into the educational system and praised the company for helping to equip students with essential skills to tackle plastic waste pollution.

The competition culminated in the announcement of the winners, with the top three schools receiving substantial cash prizes to further their sustainability efforts.