On the occasion of World Earth Day, it’s heartening to witness a growing number of companies making significant strides towards sustainability, embodying the spirit of environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. From reducing plastic waste to promoting renewable energy and embracing eco-conscious initiatives, these organizations are leading the charge in protecting our planet for future generations.
Coca-Cola India, in partnership with India’s largest retailer, Reliance Retail, has launched the “Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana” initiative. This collaborative effort aims to address the issue of post-consumer PET bottle waste by installing Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and collection bins in Reliance Retail stores. By incentivizing consumers with discounts on Coca-Cola products in exchange for used PET bottles, the initiative not only encourages recycling but also contributes to the vision of a circular economy.
For PepsiCo India, creating a world where plastic never becomes waste is important, and that drives their ‘Winning with pep+’ philosophy. PepsiCo India has established a robust ecosystem through partnerships with local businesses and communities, focusing on innovative solutions that resonate with Indian consumers. Their sustainability vision is built on three pillars: reducing plastic usage, recycling plastic, and reinventing plastic packaging. In alignment with the Swachh Bharat Mission, PepsiCo India, alongside United Way Delhi and TSL, launched ‘Tidy Trails’ to manage post-consumer plastic waste in Mathura Vrindavan and Agra, collecting 29,911 kg of waste and recycling 13,460.2 kg of plastic. Additionally, their annual Plog Run, held on Swachh Bharat Diwas, engages the public in plastic circularity awareness and behavioral change, with 892 kg of plastic collected last year across 8 cities and involving 5,000 participants, including over 100 PepsiCo India employees. To further their commitment to sustainability, PepsiCo India introduced India’s first 100% recycled PET bottles in the Carbonated Beverage category with Pepsi Black, contributing to a circular economy and reinforcing their dedication to environmental responsibility.
Meanwhile, Flipkart, one of India’s leading e-commerce platforms, has been at the forefront of sustainability efforts within the retail sector. Having achieved the complete elimination of single-use plastic from its supply chain in 2021, Flipkart continues to prioritize responsible sourcing of sustainable packaging materials.
“At Flipkart, we are deeply committed to reducing our carbon footprint and preserving the environment. With the complete elimination of single-use plastic from our own supply chain, a feat we achieved in 2021, we continue to work towards ensuring responsible sourcing of sustainable packaging and man-made cellulosic fibers, promoting the use of renewable and environmentally viable resources. We are proactively adopting recycled paper bags and eco-friendly materials such as carton-waste shredded material, eco-friendly paper shreds and 2 Ply rolls in our Supply Chain operations, through which we are not only reducing our carbon footprint effectively but also aligning with EPR regulations. We also actively engage with sellers and ecosystem stakeholders to implement innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste and extend these efforts to thousands of direct shipment partners too,” shares Nishant Gupta, Head of Sustainability, Flipkart.
Through initiatives like Flipkart Green, an online store dedicated to environmentally and socially sustainable products, the company aims to empower conscious consumers and promote sustainable consumption habits.
Smita Jatia, vice chairperson, Westlife Foodworld, says, “We are committed to a lower carbon footprint, achieved through increased recycling and reuse of materials, use of renewable energy, and reduced consumption. We recognise the critical role that businesses must play in addressing climate change and we are proud to walk the talk. With each step, we are becoming stronger in our fight against climate change. We look forward to continuing our efforts towards a greener future and to serving our customers with delicious and sustainable food.”
KFC India has also made significant commitments to sustainability, particularly in reducing plastic usage and transitioning to recyclable and compostable packaging materials. Moksh Chopra, our General Manager at KFC India & Partner Countries, says, “As we celebrate this year’s theme of Planet vs Plastic, KFC aims to continue to lead the way for the category in the adoption of sustainably sourced packaging materials. In 2023 alone, we have reduced 3200 MT of plastic and converted 80% of KFC India’s packaging to be recyclable, compostable and biodegradable. We remain well on our way to achieving 100% sustainable and recyclable packaging, partnering with our franchise partners, suppliers and the larger industry ecosystem. KFC is committed to growing in India, with India, on the back of sustainable business practices.”
Tetra Pak South Asia’s “Go Green with Tetra Pak” program exemplifies the importance of community involvement in sustainable initiatives. Juhi Gupta, Head, Sustainability, Tetra Pak South Asia, says, “Another impactful initiative, Alag Karo, in partnership with NGO Saahas in the NCR, champions the promotion of 3-way waste segregation at the source. This collaborative effort has resulted in a remarkable diversion of 60 tonnes of waste per day from landfills—organic waste is composted or processed into biogas, while dry waste is sorted and sent for recycling.” This program has demonstrated substantial social value, generating INR 2.77 and INR 2.95 for every INR 1 invested in its first and second phases, respectively.
With The Body Shop’s partnership with Plastics for Change, they are sourcing recycled plastic from marginalized waste pickers in India, providing fair wages and better working conditions. They are further scaling up plastic recycling through their in-store ‘Return Recycle Repeat’ concept, where customers can return their empty tubs, bottles and tubes. Furthermore, the brand’s local partners recycle and repurpose them. The Body Shop sourced over 400 tons of recycled plastic for product packaging in 2021 (doubling this from over 200+ tons in 2020).
Zoomcar, a pioneer in shared mobility solutions, is revolutionizing urban transportation with its focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and car-sharing platforms. With over 170,000 EV bookings to date and plans for further expansion, Zoomcar is not only reducing carbon emissions but also promoting a shift towards sustainable transportation options.
Lastly, BACARDÍ, a global leader in the spirits industry, is championing sustainability in event management and consumer engagement. By adopting reusable and compostable materials at their events and eliminating single-use plastics, BACARDÍ is setting a new standard for responsible celebration, inspiring both consumers and industry peers to embrace sustainable practices.
These initiatives collectively demonstrate the power of corporate responsibility and collaborative action in tackling environmental challenges. As we commemorate World Earth Day, let us celebrate the efforts of these companies and reaffirm our commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.
