Rallying for a Greener Tomorrow: NCF Leads Charge Against Plastic Pollution on World Environment Day 2025

Every year on June 5th, people across the globe come together to reflect, take action, and push boundaries for the sake of our planet. World Environment Day, the United Nations’ flagship day for environmental awareness, has grown into a global movement spanning more than 100 countries. For the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), it’s more than a calendar event—it’s a rallying cry for change.

In 2025, under the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” NCF once again took bold steps to address one of the most pressing environmental threats of our time. Through a series of stakeholder symposiums, educational programs, and strategic school engagements, NCF, backed by its corporate allies showcased what it means to turn awareness into action.

Plastic Pollution: A National Challenge, A Local Response

Since launching its school-focused recycling initiative in 2023, NCF has worked closely with partners and schools to collect over 18,790kg of plastic waste from June 2023 to April 2025. At the heart of this initiative is the deployment of 100kg capacity giant waste bins to secondary schools across Lagos State, aimed at keeping plastic away from waterways and landfills.

Beyond waste collection, this program is growing into a robust environmental education campaign. Plans are underway to expand the initiative with:

•       Environmental curriculum integration in schools

•       Student-led innovation projects on plastic alternatives and recycling

•       Incentive-based recycling competitions and leaderboard recognition

•       Financial and material compensation for waste collected

This year’s World Environment Day marked a new chapter in this movement with two stakeholder symposiums and recycling bin donation events across Lagos, powered by the support of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Union Bank, TotalEnergies, and Nigerian Bottling Company.

Symposium Highlights: Voices for the Environment

Event 1:

Held at the Lekki Conservation Centre, the symposiums provided a platform for dialogue, innovation, and education. Students, government officials, corporate leaders, and conservation advocates came together to share insights and inspire action.

With school presentations from Obele Community High School, Aguda Community Junior Grammar School, Refiners School, and others, the event blended creativity and purpose.

A standout feature was the Upcycled Art Exhibition, where students turned discarded plastics into functional art, signaling a new generation of eco-conscious entrepreneurs. “I learned that at our age we can start business through upcycling of plastics,” said Amupitan Stephen, one of the participating students.

Key messages at the event included:

•       Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, emphasized: “There are so many other aspects of waste, beyond plastic, that are available for economic development, for green technology, for environmental sustainability.”

•       Representatives from TotalEnergies and Nigerian Bottling Company shared their ongoing sustainability journeys, spotlighting corporate accountability in environmental stewardship.

Event 2:

The second event featured school presentations from D Cherub School, Bulky Depth School, and others. It focused on “Strategic Waste Management and the Circular Economy.” Mrs. Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand & Marketing Officer at Union Bank, remarked “If you look around you, the effects of plastic pollution are very visible in Lagos. The only way we can reduce the effect is by recycling, reusing, or refusing single-use plastics.”

Mr. Adetola Idris, Packaging Recovery Lead at Nigerian Bottling Company, added depth to the conversation with insights on nationwide recycling frameworks and the rise of green innovation. The event reached a climax with a powerful drama from the Refiner School titled “The Cry of the Waters,” highlighting the effect of plastic pollution on communities at large.

Expanding the Recycling Culture: School Bin Donations

A core highlight of this year’s celebration was the donation of giant recycling bins to eight public schools across Lagos State:

•       FCMB donated to:

·         Fazil Omar Senior High School, Yaba

·         Eletu Odibo Senior High School

•       Union Bank donated to:

·         Akoka Junior High School, Akoka

·         Mobolaji Bank Anthony Junior High School, Yaba

·         Lagos City Senior College, Yaba

·         Wesley Girls Junior Secondary School

·         Birel Avenue Senior High School, Yaba

·         Herbert Macaulay Girls’ Senior High School, Yaba

Each event featured engaging sessions with students, goodwill messages from partner representatives, and interactive education moments facilitated by NCF.

The Power of Partnership and Purpose

Corporate partners have been instrumental to the success of these initiatives. Mr. Idris Adekola, Head of Packaging Recovery at Coca-Cola Nigeria, noted:

“We are lending our support to reducing plastic pollution by championing recycling. We are the founding member of the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, an alliance of over 40 companies with the sole purpose of driving the collection and recycling of plastics.”

Meanwhile, NCF Director General, Dr. Joseph Onoja, issued a powerful call:

“The environment doesn’t need us. We need the environment. Microplastics are already making their way into our food systems, and we’re seeing health consequences such as cancer.”

“Real elitism is environmental responsibility. When someone throws plastic out of a moving luxury vehicle, it tells you that wealth doesn’t equal awareness.”

“I’m looking forward to a day when people would see plastic on the ground and rush to pick it up, because that is money going there.”

A Reflective Call to Action

As we commemorate World Environment Day 2025, it’s clear that the fight against plastic pollution is not the responsibility of one group but a collective mission. From students creating upcycled art, to banks funding grassroots recycling, to government agencies aligning policy with environmental realities. Each action is a thread in the fabric of sustainability.

“Waste is not waste until it is completely wasted,” student Falowo Glory aptly said.

Let us all embrace that mindset. Let us refuse what we do not need, reuse what we can, and reimagine what waste can become. The future is in our hands—and the choices we make today will define the world we leave behind.