Union Bank Employees Remove Over 200kg of Waste in Lagos Beach Cleanup

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability as its employees removed more than 200 kilogrammes of waste during a beach cleanup exercise at Alpha Community Beach, Lekki, Lagos.

The exercise, organised in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), formed part of the bank’s 2026 Employee Volunteer Day under its Employee Volunteering initiative, powered by UnionCares, the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform.

According to a statement issued by Union Bank on Thursday, the cleanup was organised in response to the growing challenge of plastic pollution in Nigeria, where an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, with Lagos accounting for about 870,000 tonnes. The bank noted that more than 88 per cent of the waste is not recycled, with a significant volume ending up in rivers, lagoons and the ocean, threatening marine life and coastal communities.

The statement said the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 14 on Life Below Water, and Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

More than 50 Union Bank employee volunteers, officials of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, and students of Rodan High School, Ajah, participated in the exercise, while the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) provided logistical support to ensure proper sorting and disposal of the collected waste.

The volunteers, grouped into eight teams, gathered over 200 kilogrammes of waste from the beach, with the refuse weighed at the end of the exercise to demonstrate the measurable environmental impact of the initiative.

Speaking at the event, Union Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko, said environmental protection requires collective action.

“At Union Bank, we understand that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to playing our part. As the impact of climate change becomes more evident, initiatives like this allow our employees to take meaningful action, support cleaner communities, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” she said.

The bank reaffirmed its commitment to promoting environmental stewardship through partnerships and community-driven initiatives aimed at creating a cleaner and more sustainable future across Nigeria.