Designing Waste Out of the Economy

Nestlé Nigeria has initiated a seemingly minor change switching the bottle caps on its Nestlé Pure Life water from blue to clear that carries a profound message for national development. This move is not a marketing gimmick; it is a strategic design decision that addresses one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges: plastic waste management and the creation of a circular economy. 

This action challenges the conventional perspective that major corporations can only tackle pollution through large-scale cleanups. Instead, it demonstrates that sustainability starts at the design table, empowering Nigeria’s recycling sector by making the recycling process simpler, faster, and more efficient.

The Logic of the Clear Cap

The power of the clear cap lies in its operational simplicity for recyclers. By eliminating the traditional blue color pigment, Nestlé has removed a significant barrier to effective material sorting. Recyclers can now easily identify, sort, and repurpose the cap material, ensuring a higher recovery rate and higher quality secondary plastic.

Olutayo Olatunji, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Waters, emphasized the intentionality of the move: "The clear cap isn’t just a design update; it is a reflection of our deeper commitment to sustainability. From being the first and the only water brand to introduce 50% rPET in our bottles, which cuts virgin plastic use by half, to now eliminating colored bottle caps, every step we take is intentional."

This two-pronged approach reducing the amount of new plastic used (rPET) while making the remaining plastic easier to recycle (clear caps) sets a vital precedent for the manufacturing sector.

Elevating the Conversation: Designing with Purpose

For Nestlé, the clear cap contributes to its global ambition to make 100 percent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. Locally, however, it serves as a powerful call to action for other producers.

Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications Lead, Nestlé Nigeria, encapsulated the shift in thinking: “At Nestlé, sustainability is not a buzzword; it is a responsibility. Introducing the clear cap represents a meaningful shift in how we design with purpose. Across our brand categories, we are thinking beyond function to impact, creating packaging that works for consumers, supports our recycling partners, and protects the planet.”

This initiative transforms packaging innovation into a driver of national development, fostering a more sustainable hydration experience that minimizes environmental harm and actively supports the growth of a domestic recycling economy for future generations.