Caring for the Environment

UOB China (UOBC) continues to put in place measures to support colleagues in doing good and going green. In 2023, each UOB Heartbeat T-shirt was made from eight recycled plastic bottles. In total, UOBC transformed a total of 8,000 plastic bottles into T-shirts for the volunteers. We also rewarded colleagues for taking green transportation to the physical event, bringing their own camping chairs or picking up litter at the physical event. 

We also organised a sustainable art installation lighting ceremony in celebration of UOB Plaza obtaining LEED Platinum and Green Mark Platinum accreditation. This reinforces our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and forging a sustainable future.

In 2022, we gave more than 10,000 pieces of retiring brand apparel from across the region a new lease of life, either by way of upcycling or recycling. In Singapore, the uniforms were repurposed into useful lifestyle items such as small pouches and laptop bags and sold internally to UOB colleagues, with proceeds donated to children in need at ARC Children’s Centre. Alfya Atelier, a social enterprise was engaged to oversee the design and production of the items, in doing so creating job opportunities for persons-in-need such as single mothers, or persons with special needs. In Thailand, uniforms were turned into eco-friendly art installations, with surplus raw fabric donated to the Office of Social Development's Bangkok Metropolitan Administrator (BMA) Vocational Training Schools for 800 disadvantaged students’ use in sewing and fashion courses.