World Earth Day 2024: Through Their Sustainable Initiatives, Brands Unite for a Greener Future
On this World Earth Day, it’s encouraging to see that an increasing number of businesses are embracing ethical business practices and environmental care by making major progress towards sustainability. These organizations are leading the way in preserving our world for future generations by supporting eco-conscious activities, encouraging renewable energy, and minimizing plastic waste.
Coca-Cola India has initiated the “Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana” campaign in collaboration with Reliance Retail, the country’s biggest retailer. The purpose of this joint venture is to tackle the problem of PET bottle trash that occurs after consumption by placing collecting bins and reverse vending machines (RVMs) at Reliance Retail establishments. The project supports the idea of a circular economy by rewarding customers with discounts on Coca-Cola goods in return for their old PET bottles. This promotes recycling as well.
In the meantime, one of the biggest e-commerce sites in India, Flipkart, has led the charge in the retail industry’s sustainability initiatives. Flipkart is committed to obtaining sustainable packaging materials responsibly, even after eliminating single-use plastic entirely from its supply chain in 2021.
“At Flipkart, protecting the environment and lowering our carbon footprint are very important to us. After successfully removing single-use plastic from our own supply chain in 2021, we still strive to ensure ethical procurement of man-made cellulosic fibers and sustainable packaging, encouraging the use of ecologically friendly and renewable resources. In our supply chain activities, we are aggressively using recycled paper bags and environmentally friendly products, including 2-ply rolls, eco-friendly paper shreds, and shredded carton trash. By doing this, we are not only efficiently lowering our carbon footprint but also complying with EPR standards. According to Nishant Gupta, Head of Sustainability at Flipkart, “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.”
The firm wants to empower ecologically and socially aware customers and encourage sustainable purchasing habits. One such project is Flipkart Green, an online shop that sells items that are sustainable in both social and environmental aspects. Nishant Gupta, Flipkart’s Head of Sustainability, states
Significant environmental pledges have also been made by KFC India, notably the reduction of plastic use and the switch to recyclable and compostable packaging materials. “As we celebrate this year’s theme of Planet vs. Plastic, KFC aims to continue to lead the category in the adoption of sustainably sourced packaging materials,” says Moksh Chopra, our General Manager at KFC India & Partner Countries. We have turned 80% of KFC India’s packaging to be recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable, and we have cut 3200 MT of plastic in 2023 alone. Working together with our suppliers, franchise partners, and the greater industry ecosystem, we are still a long way from reaching our goal of packaging that is 100 percent recyclable and sustainable. KFC is dedicated to expanding in India by using sustainable business methods.
The “Go Green with Tetra Pak” campaign from Tetra Pak South Asia is a prime example of how crucial community engagement is to sustainable projects. “Another impactful initiative, Alag Karo, in partnership with NGO Saahas in the NCR, champions the promotion of 3-way waste segregation at the source,” said Juhi Gupta, Head of Sustainability, Tetra Pak South Asia. 60 tons of garbage are remarkably diverted from landfills each day as a consequence of this cooperative effort; dry waste is sorted and sent for recycling, while organic waste is composted or converted into biogas. This initiative has been shown to have significant social value; for every INR 1 spent in its first and second stages, it generated INR 2.77 and INR 2.95, respectively.
Zoomcar is a leader in shared mobility solutions, and its emphasis on electric cars (EVs) and car-sharing services is transforming urban transportation. Zoomcar is encouraging a move toward more environmentally friendly modes of transportation in addition to lowering carbon emissions, with over 170,000 EV reservations to date and future growth plans.
Last but not least, BACARDÍ, a world-renowned leader in the spirits sector, is promoting sustainability in customer involvement and event planning. By using recyclable and compostable materials at their events and doing away with single-use plastics, BACARDÍ is establishing a new benchmark for conscientious celebration and encouraging colleagues in the industry to follow suit.
Together, these programs show how effective corporate social responsibility and teamwork can be when addressing environmental issues. Let’s honor these businesses’ achievements and recommit to creating a more resilient and sustainable future for the earth as we observe World Earth Day.
