The Alternative Bank, in collaboration with the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, has launched the Walk4ZeroPlastic campaign in Lagos, bringing together more than 300 volunteers to combat plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday, the bank explained that the march culminated at Tejuosho Market, where several tonnes of plastic waste were recovered. The exercise also spurred conversations around responsible waste disposal and long-term strategies for environmental improvement.
The Walk4ZeroPlastic initiative, described by the organisers as a community-driven project, aims to increase awareness of the escalating environmental crisis caused by plastic waste, particularly in densely populated Lagos markets. The symbolic walk gathered employees, volunteers, traders, residents, and stakeholders from both government and the private sector to confront the issue directly.
Beyond the immediate clean-up, the march aimed to shift public attitudes towards recycling and sustainable waste management.
Executive Director, South, The Alternative Bank, Mrs Korede Demola-Adeniyi, explained the purpose of the event.
“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to a cleaner, healthier Lagos. By sustaining community-led actions like this, we can address plastic pollution at its roots,” she said.
“At its heart, this is about creating lasting habits that genuinely improve lives. The Alternative Bank is proud to lead this effort alongside partners who believe in our vision.”
The bank’s partners in the campaign include Sterling ONE Foundation, Wastebanc, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Rite Foods, Africa Clean-Up Initiative, and Foodbank.
As part of the project, The Alternative Bank provided plastic waste bins at strategic points across Tejuosho Market to support LAWMA’s efforts in waste collection, sorting, and disposal. The donation is expected to encourage more sustainable practices among market users.
Chairperson of the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, Mrs Bunmi Ajiboye, stressed the importance of joint action in addressing Lagos’ plastic pollution crisis.
“The Walk4ZeroPlastic campaign is a major step in our continued effort to tackle plastic pollution in Lagos. While today’s clean-up is significant, the real achievement lies in reshaping how communities think about waste. Sustainability is a collective responsibility, and we are proud to be part of a movement making meaningful strides toward a cleaner future,” she said.
The event featured community engagement on proper waste disposal, sorting, and recycling methods, with volunteers sensitising traders and customers on ways to reduce plastic waste in streets and waterways.
Commissioner for the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, represented by the ministry’s Director of Waste Management, Mr Adeoye Babajide, commended The Alternative Bank for setting a standard for private sector involvement in environmental initiatives.
“We appreciate The Alternative Bank, part of the Sterling Group, for this collaborative effort with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. Their commitment to sustainable waste management demonstrates what is possible when the private sector joins hands with government to protect the environment,” he said.
He reaffirmed that the Lagos State Government had stepped up its efforts to curb plastic pollution.
“In January 2024, the state announced a ban on single-use plastics, including styrofoam and plastic bags, with full enforcement slated for July 2025. This policy, championed by the ministry, is designed to reduce environmental harm and encourage eco-friendly alternatives. We are also partnering with organisations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance to establish public recycling hubs and strengthen waste management systems,” Wahab said.
The Alternative Bank, which began in January 2014 as a non-interest banking arm of Sterling Bank, was granted a licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria in July 2023 to operate as a fully independent institution.
