Ecobank Nigeria has announced the successful removal of two million plastic bottles from the streets and drains of Lagos State. The Pan African bank which launched the campaign in May had set a target of removing four million PET bottles from the environment as part of its environmental sustainability campaign. The bank rolled out the initiative in May telling Lagos residents to turn in their used plastic bottles in exchange for cash at designated locations across the state.
Speaking on the initiative and the success achieved so far, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan stated that Ecobank is committed to supporting the sustenance of the environment by assisting in the removal of all non-biodegradable elements as part of the universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
“So far we have succeeded in removing over two million bottles from the streets of Lagos. We hope to get to the 4 million target we set for ourselves within the next few months. We are grateful to our partners who have been consistent in their push to achieve this target. I use this opportunity to renew the call on residents to take their used plastics to the Lagos sewage treatment plant in Amuwo Odofin and get cash instantly. Plastic waste is seriously affecting our food, oceans, harming marine life and threatening our food chain. As a responsible corporate organisation, we will do all it takes to check the trend to ensure a safer living environment.” he stated.
Also speaking, Biyi Olagbami, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Ecobank Nigeria, who is also the coordinator of the “Cash for Plastic” initiative reiterated that Ecobank is optimistic that the projects would go a long way to improving the lives of residents by supporting the removal of plastic that usually clogs the water channels and causes flooding in parts of Lagos. “We appreciate the response we are getting from residents and we hope to sustain this effort in assisting to clean our environment. We may extend this initiative to other major cities in Nigeria in the future” he stated.
The Plastic waste for Cash initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Alkem Nigeria Ltd. It is aimed at improving the environmental sustainability and community health development in Lagos by rewarding residents for every plastic bottle picked from the street. The collectors are incentivized with N30 for every kilogram plastic bottle picked.
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