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Ecobank Nigeria said it has successfully removed over two million plastic bottles in exchange for cash from the streets of Lagos.
The campaign which started in May targeted to remove at least four million PET bottles from the environment was part of the bank’s environmental sustainability campaign.
A statement on Monday said Ecobank had in May, informed Lagos residents to exchange plastic bottles for cash at designated locations across the state.
The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan, stated that Ecobank was committed to support 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 people enjoyed peace and prosperity.
He said, “So far we have succeeded in removing over two million bottles from the streets of Lagos. We hope to get to the four 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.”
The Plastic waste for Cash initiative was being implemented in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Alkem Nigeria Limited.
It was 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 incentivised with N30 for every kilogram plastic bottle picked, according to the statement.
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