By Dipo Olowookere
Keystone Bank Limited has again restated its commitment to environmental sustainability with a partnership with Wecyclers Nigeria Limited, a company committed to improving recycling in Nigeria.
The lender joined forces with the company for a clean-up exercise at the popular SURA Market in Lagos as part of its efforts to mark the 2019 ‘Global Recycling Day’.
The Global Recycle Day is a global event commemorated annually to help recognize, and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving precious primary resources and securing the future of the planet – earth.
In celebrating this year’s edition held on Monday March 18 and themed: “Recycling into the future”, staff of Keystone Bank and Wecyclers, used the medium to enlighten traders and shoppers at the SURA Market and its environs on issues relating to proper disposal and separation of plastic from metal and food waste, recycling, healthy lifestyle and other measures aimed at curbing environmental pollution.
According to the Group Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Dr Obeahon Ohiwerei, the initiative, which is part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is aimed at creating awareness on the positive impacts of cleaning the environment, proper waste management and the urgent need to recycle more effectively to assure the future of the planet – earth.
Mr Ohiwerei noted that to achieve environmental preservation, Nigerians must imbibe the culture of proper waste disposal and separation for easy recycling for other useful products.
“As a bank, we understand the importance of a clean environment.
“It is widely known that climate change is the major, overriding, environmental issue of our time. Recycling saves more CO2 emissions each year than those generated by the entire aviation industry, while simultaneously protecting the earth’s valuable natural resources.
“We cannot live a healthy life, conduct business and create wealth amidst waste or in a toxic environment. Without clean air, water, land and energy, our collective humanity is endangered.
“This makes it necessary for us to keep our environment orderly and functional through sustainable living actions and regular cleaning. Our goal is to lead the movement promoting environmental sustainability in Nigeria,” he said.
The bank chief further disclosed that the clean-up at the SURA Market was aimed at reinforcing the consciousness of the global action on Nigerians that the environment should be free from plastic pollution, especially waste from pet bottles, which hardly degrade.
“Pet bottles are major cause of blockage to drainages and water channels and also, the value chain involved in the recycling process of pet bottles could lead to job and wealth creation,” Mr Ohiwerei concluded.
Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.
