Lafarge Africa Takes Action, Inspires Change on World Environment Day 2025
Every year, World Environment Day reminds us of the role we each play in protecting the earth we call home and for Lafarge Africa Plc, it is a serious responsibility. This year, the company commemorated the day with bold steps to combat one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges - plastic pollution.
Lafarge Africa brought this year’s theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution” to life through a mix of innovation, education, community engagement and environmental restoration. In communities across Lagos, Ogun, Cross River and Gombe States, the company championed sustainable practices through impactful initiatives, including vital awareness campaigns on waste segregation and PET bottle recycling, demonstrating how plastic waste can be recycled and transformed into useful items.
Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Billions of tons of plastic waste accumulate in landfills, oceans, and natural environments, posing a severe threat to ecosystems and human health. This non-biodegradable material chokes waterways, harms marine life, and breaks down into micro plastics that infiltrate our food chain and air. The long-term consequences of unchecked plastic pollution are dire, impacting biodiversity, climate patterns, and the overall well-being of communities. Addressing this crisis requires concerted efforts from governments, industries, and individuals.
As a sustainability-driven organization, Lafarge Africa has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the environment through eco-friendly low carbon cement products such as its ECOPlanet Unicem and recently launched ECOPlanet Elephant, boasting a 30% reduction in CO2.
A cornerstone of Lafarge Africa’s commitment to combating waste is Geocycle, the company’s waste management arm - a pioneering circular economy solution. Geocycle leverages Lafarge's co-processing technology to safely and efficiently manage various types of waste, including plastics, by transforming them into energy and raw materials for cement production. This innovative approach diverts waste from landfills and significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy. Through Geocycle, Lafarge Africa is actively transforming waste into value, demonstrating a tangible solution to the plastic crisis and other waste challenges. The company has already set its sights on co-processing 80,000 tonnes of plastic and combustible waste annually by 2027.
At a virtual gathering held in honour of the day, Rachael Ezembakwe, Director of Health, Safety and Environment at Lafarge Africa, spoke passionately about the company’s ongoing efforts to lead with impact. From replacing traditional fuels with cleaner alternatives to driving behavioural change within its communities, Lafarge Africa is committed to making sustainability more than a buzzword.
“We are focused on minimizing our footprint and ensuring that our operations do not become a burden to the communities we serve.” Recognizing the role of individuals to combat plastic pollution, Rachael called for collective action in beating plastic pollution, “Let us all remember that we are protecting the environment not just for ourselves, but for the future of our children,” she said.
Protecting the environment calls for both public and private partnerships. For the Lagos State Government, this kind of collaboration is key. In her keynote address, Titilayo Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy who addressed Lafarge Africa’s employees at the company-wide World Environment Day webinar, praised Lafarge Africa’s leadership and called for even deeper involvement of the private sector. From reducing single-use plastics to launching employee-led clean-ups and hackathons, she encouraged more bold steps and community-facing programmes that turn words into action.
In that spirit, the company also carried out tree planting exercises in Ogun and Cross River states to support reforestation efforts. Other activities held to commemorate the day include environmental sensitization campaign in Ashaka, and Ewekoro Plants as well as a clean-up drive at Akansoko Market and nearby community shops, a simple but powerful way to engage residents and show that everyone has a role to play in keeping their environment clean.
From awareness to action, Lafarge Africa’s message is clear: when it comes to protecting our environment, progress is possible when we all work together. Through its innovative practices, grassroots programmes and strong partnerships, the company continues to show that sustainability can be scalable, and meaningful change is within reach.
Remember, beating plastic pollution starts with taking that first step, and Lafarge Africa is walking the talk!
