10 July 2021 12:00 am
Expanding its commitment towards the conservation of the environment, Nations Trust Bank has launched its own ‘DoNoPlastic’ campaign to become an active part of the solution to the nation’s growing plastic pollution issue.
During the month of July, the bank will take responsibility as an organisation to raise awareness of the negative environmental impact of single-use plastic and promote eco-conscious habits among the public as well as the bank’s staff.
Nations Trust Bank has lined up a series of activities, such as webinars conducted by eminent personalities at environment protection missions, to educate the public as well as the bank staff about plastic pollution. Taking a more personal and long-term approach, the bank will also take steps to reduce plastic-based items from the bank’s stationery list and, additionally replace plastic pens reserved for customers across the branch network.
Commenting on the bank’s efforts to transform Sri Lanka into a sustainable and less plastic-reliant nation, Theja Silva, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Nations Trust Bank said, "According to Sri Lanka's Central Environment Agency (CEA), the island annually imports 200,000 metric tonnes of raw plastic materials - around 70 percent is for daily use while only 30 percent is for exports. As a responsible corporate citizen who strongly believes in the philosophy of ‘Conservation through Education’, we felt that it was our duty to take a stand and educate the public about the long-term, harmful effects of single-use plastic. In addition to the ‘DoNoPlastic’ campaign activities, the bank is also currently working to launch a national level plastic recycling project to promote good environmental practices across the country. We truly hope that this simple initiative taken by the bank will extend beyond the month of July and create a much bigger impact on our society and environment.”
Nations Trust Bank has been able to differentiate itself by keeping true to its commitment to preserve the environment through various initiatives. Last year, over 2,500 employees planted a sapling each in their garden as part of the bank’s ‘Let’s Get Growing’ internal campaign to support the national aspiration to increase green cover in Sri Lanka. Additionally, as part of the ‘Mihikathata Avurudu’ programme, Nations Trust Bank made a commitment to plant saplings across a one-acre land in the Hiyare Rainforest for every customer who opened a new current account, savings account or an investment plan with the bank during the week of Avurudu.ns Trust Bank launches ‘DoNoPlastic’ towards an eco-friendly nation