Union Bank Employees Remove Over 200kg of Waste in Lagos Beach Cleanup Drive
Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by mobilising its employees and partners for a beach cleanup exercise that removed more than 200 kilograms of waste from Alpha Community Beach in Lekki, Lagos.
The initiative, organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), formed part of the bank’s 2026 Employee Volunteer Day under its UnionCares Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme and highlighted the importance of collective action in tackling plastic pollution and protecting Nigeria’s coastal ecosystems.
The exercise brought together more than 50 Union Bank employee volunteers, representatives of the NCF and students from Rodan High School, Ajah, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder approach to environmental conservation.
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), provided logistical support by ensuring that all waste collected during the exercise was properly sorted and disposed of in accordance with environmental best practices.
Union Bank said the initiative was inspired by the growing challenge of plastic pollution in Nigeria, where an estimated 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually. Lagos alone contributes about 870,000 tonnes of that volume, while more than 88 per cent of the country’s plastic waste is not recycled, with large quantities ending up in rivers, lagoons and the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the bank, the increasing accumulation of plastic waste poses significant threats to marine biodiversity, coastal communities and the wider environment, making coordinated environmental interventions increasingly necessary.
The cleanup exercise was also aligned 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.
To maximise efficiency, volunteers were divided into eight groups that combed different sections of the beach, collecting plastic bottles, packaging materials, discarded fishing items and other forms of litter.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the waste was weighed, with the teams removing more than 200 kilograms of refuse, while additional waste was also collected by individual participants outside the organised groups.
Speaking at the commencement of the exercise, Union Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Mrs Olufunmilola Aluko, said environmental protection requires collective responsibility and sustained action.
She noted that the bank remains committed to initiatives that encourage employees to contribute directly to cleaner communities while supporting broader climate action goals.
According to her, as the effects of climate change continue to become more visible, programmes such as the beach cleanup provide meaningful opportunities for staff to make tangible contributions towards building a healthier and more sustainable environment.
The bank explained that the exercise reflects its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable community development and responsible corporate citizenship.
It added that through its UnionCares CSR platform, it will continue to promote partnerships and community-driven initiatives that deliver lasting environmental and social benefits across Nigeria.
Established in 1917, Union Bank of Nigeria is one of the country’s oldest financial institutions, operating more than 300 branches nationwide while providing a wide range of banking services to individuals, businesses and public sector organisations.
The bank says it remains focused on combining digital innovation with sustainable business practices to create long-term value for customers and communities.
