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Environment Indian Corporates Embrace Sustainability: Celebrating World Environment Day 2023
Indian Corporates Embrace Sustainability: Celebrating World Environment Day 2023
World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5th, serves as a global platform to encourage positive environmental action. This year’s theme, “Ecosystem Restoration,” underscores the critical role that corporate entities can play in rejuvenating and protecting our natural resources.
As the world grapples with pressing environmental issues, India’s corporate sector has taken up the mantle of responsibility and embarked on a journey towards sustainable development. In a remarkable display of commitment, Indian companies are coming together to celebrate World Environment Day 2023, showcasing their dedication to environmental conservation and raising awareness about the urgent need for sustainable practices. Let us look at the top announcements made by India Inc. on the occasion of World Environment Day.
Dabur becomes first Indian ‘Plastic Waste Positive’ FMCG Company
Dabur India Ltd has now become a ‘Plastic Waste Positive company’ in India, having collected, processed and recycled 35,000 MT of post-consumer plastic waste from all over India in the 2022-23 financial year. The announcement of this major achievement was made on the occasion of World Environment Day.
With this, Dabur has become the first Indian consumer goods company to achieve this landmark. “Today, Dabur collects, processes and recycles more plastic waste that Dabur sells in its product packaging in a year, thereby becoming a ‘Plastic Waste Positive’ enterprise, Dabur India Ltd Head-Operations Mr. Rahul Awasthi said.
“It is a matter of great pride for the entire Dabur family, who have worked towards not just collecting plastic waste from our cities, towns and villages across the country, but also preventing the waste from reaching our landfills and oceans. This includes all types of plastic waste, from PET and HDPE bottles, PP caps and labels to multi-layered plastics and beverage cartons. We are also committed to promoting circularity in the value chain to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve Net Zero in the entire value chain by 2045,” Mr. Awasthi said.
Alongside, Dabur has also been running community-level projects to build awareness about waste segregation at source and involving the community in its plastic waste management programmes. “My 10 Kg Plastic is our flagship community-led initiative, which is currently operational in Delhi-NCR with more than 150 housing societies associated with this project. We intend to progressively roll it out in other states and cities too. We have collected 41,329 Kg plastic waste from households in Delhi-NCR alone under the My 10 Kg Plastic project in 2022-23 alone. We also run ‘Save The Environment’ campaign in several states to promote use of cotton carry bags, besides several capacity building programmes for waste collectors across the country,” Mr. Awasthi added.
Dabur had set itself the target of collecting, processing and recycling 35,000 MT of post-consumer plastic waste from across India in the year 2022-23. “We work with government-registered recycling partners across the country and have taken progressive actions to reduce plastic waste in cities, town, villages, while also raising awareness about plastic waste management within the community. The collected plastic waste is being sent to different Recyclers, Waste-to-Energy Plants and Cement Kilns,” Mr. Awasthi said.
Dabur’s Plastic Waste Management initiative was rolled out in the year 2017-18 as part of the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rule 2016, 2018 (amended). Under this initiative, Dabur has till date collected a total of over 89,000 MT of plastic waste (Recyclable and Non-Recyclable) direct from the end-users with the help of around local ragpickers in 150 cities across India. Dabur has also put in place a robust audit mechanism to ensure complete transparency and compliance to the state and central regulations and guidelines on Plastic Waste Management.
Dabur is a registered brand-owner with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) since November 2018 and with all State Pollution Control Boards across the country, and is committed to collect different types of plastic waste from across the country. “We take our impact on the natural resources in the communities where we operate seriously and have put in place measures to not merely comply with regulations but to responsibly take care of our country and the Planet, preserve its beauty and resources for future generations. Every action at Dabur is a step towards a sustainable future,” Mr. Awasthi added.
Blue Dart plants 6,66,000+ trees in last 6 years
Blue Dart Express Limited has planted over 666,000+ trees in the last six years through its Go Green program, demonstrating its commitment to the environment. Blue Dart has planted more than 111,000 trees annually, which as full grown trees, would collectively offset over 13,320 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Since 2017, Blue Dart has been actively organizing tree plantation drives under its Go Green pillar, aiming to enhance India’s green cover. The program has gained significant momentum, with employees and stakeholders actively participating in tree planting activities nationwide. The selection of tree species for planting is based on community preferences and expert guidance regarding suitability for terrain and climate.
Of the initiative, Ketan Kulkarni, Chief Commercial Officer of Blue Dart, says, “The impact and severity of climate change is upon us. Planting of trees is one of the most effective ways to address it. As a socially responsible corporate, this is one way we contribute to environmental restoration. Within Blue Dart, the Go Green programme has thrived thanks to the enthusiastic participation of colleagues and their families, who have generously contributed their time to this initiative. This year, the programme has supported the plantation of fruit trees, which also provides alternative livelihoods for farmers.”
Furthermore, Blue Dart is dedicated to promoting responsible waste management and sustainability. As a pilot project, the company will introduce dedicated e-waste recycling bins at select stores this year. These specially designed bins aim to provide a convenient and responsible way for customers to dispose their electronic waste. By placing these recycle bins in their retail stores the company is taking a proactive step towards promoting proper e-waste disposal and encouraging sustainable actions.
Blue Dart is a signatory to the ‘Climate Neutral Now’ (CNN) pledge by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Climate Neutral Now Initiative encourages and supports stakeholders to act immediately towards achieving a climate-neutral world by 2050, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. As part of the company’s New Sustainability Roadmap, Blue Dart has made substantial investments in developing environmentally friendly technology that promotes excellence in a sustainable manner.
CEAT Celebrates World Environment Day 2023 with #BeatPlasticPollution Initiatives
CEAT Limited is proud to announce its commitment to World Environment Day 2023 by launching a series of initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability. This year’s World Environment Day theme, #BeatPlasticPollution, aligns perfectly with CEAT’s ongoing efforts to create a cleaner, greener future for all.
Cloth Bag Initiative: Empowering Women and Reducing Plastic Consumption
CEAT has partnered with local women’s self-help groups to manufacture eco-friendly cloth bags at their Bhandup plant’s community center. This initiative not only provides economic empowerment for the women involved but also raises awareness about sustainability and the need to reduce plastic consumption. A total of 5,000 bags have been produced, with distribution planned across all CEAT plants on June 5th, World Environment Day.
Environment Week: A Week-Long Celebration of Sustainability at CEAT Plants
In addition to the Cloth Bag initiative, CEAT plants across various locations will observe a week-long Environment Week featuring a range of activities designed to engage employees and promote environmental awareness.
CEAT employees will have the opportunity to participate in an environmental photography and video competition centred around the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution.” Throughout the week, environment-related videos and messages will be projected in the plant canteens to further raise awareness.
Other activities planned for Environment Week include tree plantation, a signature campaign, and the distribution of jute bags to participants to emphasize the importance of reducing plastic waste. An environment quiz competition will test employees’ knowledge, while a clean-up campaign will target areas outside the manufacturing facility, such as the scrap yard, utility, and periphery.
To further engage employees, World Environment Week badges will be distributed, and an online quiz competition, as well as an environment poster and slogan competition, will be organized. Seed ball-making sessions will be held to encourage greener surroundings, and awareness training on hazardous and non-hazardous waste and its segregation will be provided to ensure proper waste management practices are followed.
Mr. Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO, CEAT Limited said, “Embracing our duty to care for the environment is a commitment we owe to our planet and future generations. At CEAT, we are dedicated to combating plastic pollution and fostering sustainability in alignment with this year’s World Environment Day theme, #BeatPlasticPollution. Our initiative to use cloth bags at CEAT serves as a sustainable solution to reduce plastic pollution. These bags are produced in our community centre at the Bhandup plant, and three self-help groups have already reaped the benefits of this endeavour. By offering an alternative to single-use plastic bags, we aim to raise awareness about sustainability and inspire individuals to adopt eco-friendly practices. On World Environment Day 2023, we will distribute these bags across all our plants as we join hands in our pledge to protect our planet and work towards a greener future.”
CEAT Limited is dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment and the communities it serves. Through these initiatives, the company aims to inspire others to join the fight against plastic pollution and work towards a more sustainable future.
Furlenco’s Environmental Commitment: Building a Green Future, One Furniture Piece at a Time
In line with the theme of World Environment Day this year #BeatPlasticPollution, Furlenco – India’s leading furniture and lifestyle brand – pledges to completely eliminate the use of one-time plastic packaging material by 2025 as part of the ongoing efforts to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainability. Furlenco has started using reusable packaging materials as its contribution towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
With its strong focus on sustainability, Furlenco has implemented various initiatives for more than a decade to minimize its environmental impact and help promote a circular economy in the retail industry. Among the initiatives, Furlenco’s furniture refurbishment program has transformed how furniture is manufactured, used and repurposed. By refurbishing its products for up to six cycles, Furlenco significantly extends the lifespan of each item, thereby reducing its carbon footprint.
Furlenco provides a basket of access for consumers where they can rent or buy new or refurbished furniture and appliances. As part of the refurbishment process, they meticulously inspect and categorize all products at their warehouse. Furlenco ensures that refurbished products meet the highest quality standards before being listed on its website, ready to serve the next delighted customer.
Water conservation is another key aspect of its sustainability efforts. The Company has implemented advanced filtration and recycling systems for water used to wash appliances and goods, resulting in an impressive 70-75% water usage reduction. This remarkable achievement has been successfully implemented in major cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR. The organization is also working on building state-of-the-art sustainable & eco-friendly infrastructure across its offices & warehouses in India, with provisions for harnessing solar & wind energy.
Furthermore, Furlenco’s 100% scrap scavenging initiative helps salvage and reuse components from damaged goods. This novel approach contributes to resource conservation while offering customers high-quality, well-maintained furniture at affordable prices.
Ajay Agarwal, Chief Operations Officer, Furlenco, stated, “At Furlenco, we remain wholly committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. We believe collective efforts are necessary to address our planet’s environmental challenges. That’s why we have integrated sustainable practices into every aspect of our Company, with Furlenco leading the sustainable movement in our industry. These efforts are focused on contributing to the global fight against plastic pollution – one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. We are hopeful our efforts will inspire others in the industry to prioritize sustainability and join us in building a greener future.”
Furlenco is dedicated to offering innovative and sustainable furniture solutions that empower individuals to create beautiful green living spaces while minimizing their ecological footprint and ensuring a better future for generations to come.
Canon India
With CSR as a critical pillar, Canon India has been committed to the sustainable development of society by implementing practices that protect and support the local communities.
Canon India’s CSR endeavours are driven by their corporate philosophy ‘Kyosei’, which indicates the ‘spirit of living and working together for the common good’, which is considered foremost in the organization’s way of working and day-to-day operations. However, the definition of the word is much broader and encompasses “all people-regardless of their race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together for the common good.” Canon India strongly believes in standing in unison when it comes to their commitment to the community and strives to make a positive impact in the society and the environment. The organization is involved in various community welfare programs aligned with the 4Es CSR policy implying Education, Eye Care, Environment and Empowerment, to build progressive self-reliant communities.
Environmental Impact Through ‘Adopt A Village’ Initiative
Environment has been an important part of the ‘Adopt a Village’ initiative, under which Canon India undertakes the task of overall development of the villages across North, East, West and South India. Solar panels have been installed in village schools to ensure continuous supply of electricity and solar streetlights to ensure appropriate lighting after sunset. Another project has been the introduction of groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting projects in school premises to improve ground water level. Beyond these, Canon India has also conducted periodical activities including cleanliness and tree plantation drives, along with establishment of kitchen gardens for village households.
Along with ‘Adopt a Village’ project, Canon India is also associated with SOS Children’s Village across the country to encourage and support the overall development of children in these villages.
‘Green Environment Together’ (GET) Initiative
Canon India launched ‘Green Environment Together’ (GET) Initiative in 2019 as a positive step towards nurturing the environment, where they plant a tree on the purchase of a laser copier/ multi-function Device (MFD) on behalf of its direct customers.
So far, over 30,000 trees have been planted as part of the initiative, which strives to cultivate a greener future.
With its philosophy of ‘Business can be simple’, Canon aims to bring to the forefront sustainable efforts of doing business. Canon’s range of eco-friendly business offerings significantly help reduce the carbon footprint on the environment through low electricity consumption.
Canon India’s recent contribution to building educational infrastructure in Faridabad
Canon India recently presented a copier to the children of SOS Children’s Village Faridabad to support the educational needs of the students. Supporting ‘Education’ and ‘Empowering’ young minds have been key focus areas for Canon as part of its 4Es CSR policy, and the association at the SOS Children’s Village Faridabad is a testament to the same.
Marking this association, Canon also undertook a tree plantation drive at SOS Children’s Village premises, creating a perfect synergy between Canon’s ‘Green Environment Together’ initiative and its community-focused CSR outreach.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President & CEO, Canon India said, “Under our CSR efforts, we have consistently driven initiatives for the greater good of society, and education has been a key focus area for us. Time and again, we plan activities across the country that support the overall development of underprivileged children. We constantly strive to give back to society and work together for the common good, which is at the heart of our corporate philosophy, ‘Kyosei’. Our goal is not only to provide outstanding products and services but also to promote the welfare of communities. Together, we can create an ecosystem that fosters community development, supplementing our efforts to build a better tomorrow.”
Reckitt celebrates World Environment Day 2023 with the launch of first Dettol Climate Resilient School in Chardham
Reckitt, world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company, under its flagship campaign Dettol Banega Swasth India in partnership with PLAN India under the project Dettol School Hygiene Education Program, inaugurated first Dettol Climate Resilient School in Uttarkashi, a district in Uttarakhand on World Environment Day. Government Higher Secondary School in Athali, Uttarkashi is first amongst the four schools to be developed in Uttarakhand in Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
From hilly terrains to holy rivers from mountain covered clouds through lush green forest, Uttarakhand is an epitome of heavens on Earth. The state of Uttarakhand is specifically vulnerable to climate change owing to geological reasons including melting glaciers, increased population pressure, seismic activities and over-exploitation of natural resources. To preserve and prepare for any adverse effects of climate change in Uttarkhand, Reckitt aims to prepare the young change makers in schools as climate champions bearing the flag of Mission Life. The project aims to create a sustainable school environment across the state by reducing carbon footprint, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting awareness and education around climate change among students, teachers, and the community.
