On June 5th, 2024 which was World Environment Day, Addosser MFB successfully conducted its “Waste to Wealth” CSR initiative in Lagos, tackling plastic waste and empowering individuals to be part of the solution.

Aligned with this year’s World Environment Day theme, “Our Land, Our Future: Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought,” our initiative emphasized the critical connection between plastic waste and land degradation. Plastics contribute significantly to soil contamination and hinder land restoration efforts, exacerbating desertification and drought conditions. Recognizing this, we decided to focus our efforts on reducing plastic waste in our communities.

First, we hosted an impactful webinar “The Power of Individual Action in Building a Cleaner Environment and Unlocking Financial Opportunities.” This session highlighted the significant role that personal responsibility plays in waste management and provided practical tips on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste. Attendees discovered how simple, everyday actions can lead to substantial environmental benefits and create economic opportunities.

Following the webinar, we also organized a clean-up drive in two major markets in Lagos—Ladipo and Idumagbo. This effort was particularly crucial during the rainy season, focusing on collecting plastic waste and clearing clogged drainages to prevent flooding and improve overall market cleanliness. Our dedicated team and cleaning partners, worked diligently to gather and properly dispose of waste, making a notable difference in these bustling market areas.

To further our waste-to-wealth objective, we partnered with Lasgidi Recyclers and Polymer Recycling Nigeria Limited ensuring the collected plastic waste found a new life. A whopping 78.85kg of PET items were successfully donated to these partners, diverting them from landfills and promoting responsible recycling practices. This action supports waste reduction efforts and contributes to the circular economy by ensuring that plastic waste is repurposed and reused.

This initiative exemplifies the importance of our 4E social impact framework focusing on Environment. We believe that promoting sustainable waste management practices is essential not only for environmental health but also for economic development. By raising awareness about the importance of proper waste management and demonstrating the tangible benefits of collective action, we aim to inspire ongoing efforts towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Addosser MFB looks forward to building on this success and continuing its impactful CSR efforts in the future.