Manufacturers raise alarm over destruction of returnable bottles and crates costing beverage companies millions….
The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with beverage manufacturers, has raided several illegal recycling sites in Onitsha, Anambra State, arresting individuals allegedly involved in the destruction of returnable packaging materials belonging to beverage companies.
The operation targeted facilities accused of crushing returnable glass bottles and shredding plastic crates for resale as raw materials within informal recycling networks.
Reacting to the development, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said the operation followed credible intelligence provided by member companies who had been battling persistent losses linked to the illegal diversion and destruction of company-owned packaging materials.
According to Ajayi-Kadir, the police, working closely with affected manufacturers, stormed the identified locations to dismantle unauthorised recycling operations and recover assets belonging to beverage companies.
He explained that the association had earlier received reports from member firms that operators of the illegal facilities were deliberately destroying returnable bottles and crates designed for reuse, causing companies to incur millions of naira in losses.
The association subsequently petitioned relevant security and regulatory authorities while sharing intelligence that helped investigators trace the activities to several illegal sites across the South-East.
Ajayi-Kadir disclosed that investigations revealed large volumes of packaging materials were being diverted from legitimate supply chains into informal recycling operations.
In many cases, reusable glass bottles were intentionally broken, while plastic crates were shredded and sold as raw materials, a practice that undermines the beverage industry’s circular packaging model.
“The recent raid is the outcome of sustained engagements and intelligence-led investigations and represents a decisive step by authorities to protect legitimate business operations, uphold environmental standards, and deter further illegal activity,” he said.
He described the destruction of the packaging materials as criminal and a form of economic sabotage, stressing that the assets remain the property of beverage companies that have invested heavily in sustainable packaging systems.
Ajayi-Kadir warned individuals involved in such activities to desist, noting that the association would continue working with law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders are prosecuted.
He also highlighted the broader implications of the illegal operations, saying they pose serious risks to businesses, including supply chain disruptions, higher operational costs, environmental hazards from unsafe recycling practices, and threats to public safety.
“These Returnable Packaging Materials are company-owned assets designed for multiple reuse cycles and form a critical part of sustainability, cost-efficiency and product quality systems. Destroying them is a criminal act,” he added.
The association called on government authorities to intensify enforcement against the illegal diversion and destruction of returnable packaging materials outside the formal value chain.
It also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police or through consumer care lines operated by beverage companies.
Beverage manufacturers have long struggled with the challenge of illegal disposal, theft and unauthorised recycling of returnable packaging materials, which they say continues to undermine investments in sustainable packaging and efficient supply chains.
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