Walk4ZeroPlastic drive by The Alternative Bank sparks hope for cleaner Lagos in fight against plastic pollution

Walk4ZeroPlastic by The Alternative Bank mobilises 300+ volunteers to tackle Lagos’ plastic pollution with cleanup, education, and sustainable waste solutions

Walk4ZeroPlastic took centre stage in Lagos on Saturday as over 300 volunteers joined The Alternative Bank and Sterling Sustainability Working Group to combat plastic pollution through a city-wide cleanup and education campaign.

Also read: ECOWAS, Nigeria unite to combat West Africa’s escalating plastic pollution crisis

The environmental walk, which ended at Tejuosho Market, was not just symbolic—it led to the recovery of several tonnes of plastic waste and ignited fresh public dialogue on sustainable habits and proper waste disposal.

The Walk4ZeroPlastic initiative, which drew employees, residents, market leaders, and state agencies, spotlighted the environmental crisis driven by plastic waste in Lagos’ most densely populated commercial zones.

It aimed to drive lasting behavioural change by encouraging reducing, reusing, and recycling.

“This initiative is a testament to our collective commitment to a cleaner and healthier Lagos,” said Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Executive Director at The Alternative Bank.

“It’s about creating sustainable habits and making a real difference in people’s lives.”

To deepen impact, the bank donated plastic waste bins across Tejuosho Market to support Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) operations.

These bins are key to improving waste sorting and encouraging responsible habits among traders and customers.

Bunmi Ajiboye, Chairperson of the Sterling Sustainability Working Group, noted that the long-term benefit lies in mindset shifts, not just cleanup metrics.

“The real victory lies in the lasting impact this campaign will have on the community’s mindset. Sustainability is a shared responsibility.”

Partners for the Walk4ZeroPlastic campaign included:

• Sterling ONE Foundation
• Wastebanc
• Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources
• LASEPA
• LAWMA
• Rite Foods
• Africa Clean-Up Initiative
• Foodbank

Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, represented by Adeoye Babajide of the Ministry of Environment, commended The Alternative Bank for showing how the private sector can lead on sustainability.

“Their contribution is exemplary and should be a benchmark for others to emulate.”

The campaign aligns with Lagos State’s recent ban on single-use plastics, which will be fully enforced by July 2025.

The state has also partnered with UNIDO and FBRA to improve recycling infrastructure and reduce plastic waste.

Also read: Lagos plastic ban enforcement sparks bold environmental crackdown

With Walk4ZeroPlastic setting the pace, advocates hope that this grassroots effort becomes a template for urban sustainability across Nigeria.

Peculiar Adirika