By Kingsley Adegboye

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation, NCF, in collaboration with Union Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, has called for community action on plastic waste management in Lagos.

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday during a high-impact event in Lagos to mark World Environment Day 2025.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness and mobilize grassroots action toward sustainable plastic management, reinforcing the urgent need to combat plastic pollution through collective responsibility.

Under the global theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” key stakeholders in Nigeria’s environmental sector came together to renew their commitment to tackling one of the country’s most pressing ecological challenges: plastic waste.

Speaking at the event, Director of Business Development and Communications at NCF, Mr. Uchenna Achunine, stressed the importance of collective responsibility in reducing plastic waste and embracing eco-friendly alternatives.

Achunine said: “Plastic pollution is a serious concern because these materials are not biodegradable. If not reused or recycled, they return to harm both nature and human health.

“At NCF, we don’t just talk, we act. With support from partners like Union Bank and FCMB, we’ve taken practical steps like donating giant recycling bins to schools across Lagos to encourage proper disposal and collection.”

He noted that NCF has also institutionalized a No-Plastic Policy since December 2023, banning the use of single-use plastics at all their events, opting instead for dispensers and reusable containers, an initiative other organizations are encouraged to emulate.

“The choices we make at home, in schools, churches, and offices determine whether our cities become sustainable or remain choked by waste,” Achunine added.

Union Bank, a gold sponsor of the event, also used the platform to reinforce its environmental commitment.

Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of Union Bank, Olufumilola Aluko, said: “Plastic waste has become a visible threat in our cities. From blocked drainages to polluted waterways, the consequences of careless disposal are all around us. That’s why Union Bank remains committed to promoting sustainability, not just in words, but through real community investment.”

Aluko urged individuals and institutions to take small but meaningful steps, such as refusing single-use plastics or reusing containers, to collectively reduce plastic waste.

 “For us, sustainability is not just a corporate objective; it is a responsibility to our communities. Addressing plastic pollution is key to safeguarding our health, livelihoods, and economy,” she said.

Also, Head of Packaging Recovery at Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC,

Dr. Idris Adetola, highlighted the company’s leadership in driving a circular economy approach to packaging.

“Our vision is clear, every bottle must have a second life. Through our internal initiatives and strategic partnerships, we are ensuring that 100% of our packaging is collected, recycled, and reintegrated,” he said.

He also explained: “NBC, a founding member of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, FBRA, has implemented several initiatives to support the recovery and reuse of plastic waste. “These include the establishment of recycling hubs in communities such as 1004 Estate in Lagos and across Abuja, the development of in-house recycling centers at all its manufacturing plants, and the recent launch of a Mega PET Application Hub in Lagos. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to process over 500 million PET bottles annually, with plans underway to replicate the model across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.”

Dr. Adetola also addressed the upcoming Lagos State ban on single-use plastics starting July 1.

“We welcome the policy and have worked closely with regulators and industry bodies to ensure packaging redesign and extended producer responsibility, EPR, systems are in place. PET bottles, which already have a vibrant recycling ecosystem, are rightly exempted from the ban.

“Plastic recovery is not just about the environment, it’s about people. Thousands earn daily income across our recycling value chain. This is how we beat pollution and poverty together.”

The stockholders called on individuals, institutions, and governments to take bold action to #BeatPlasticPollution, protect biodiversity, and build a cleaner, more sustainable Nigeria.