On World Sustainability Day, it’s more important than ever to spotlight the brands making a real impact in creating a more eco-friendly world. From beauty giants revolutionizing packaging to companies tackling plastic waste head-on, these five brands are turning sustainability from a buzzword into a movement. Let’s dive into the inspiring ways they’re driving change for a better planet—and how you can join them in making a difference.
1. Mondelez India: Transforming Waste into Opportunity
Solidifying its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Mondelez India recently launched its ‘Lighthouse Project’ in Mapusa, Goa. This five-year initiative in association with the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the Mapusa Municipal Council aims to address key waste management challenges and contribute to a circular economy. This project redirects over 1,000 metric tons of plastic waste. In addition to creating a lasting environmental impact, the project focusses to drive behavioral change through awareness campaigns and sensitization efforts, reaching over 50,000 residents, as well as formal and informal sanitation workers. Over 120 Safai Mitras working in waste management at Mapusa are being socially included through these initiatives, empowering them as key contributors to the circular waste economy.
2. The Body Shop: Pioneering 100% Vegan Beauty
Since its inception, The Body Shop has been a trailblazer in the realm of sustainability, setting new benchmarks for the beauty industry. In December 2023, it achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first global beauty brand to reach 100% vegan product formulations, as recognized by The Vegan Society.
The brand further demonstrates its commitment to sustainability through its “Return, Recycle, Repeat” initiative, which encourages customers to recycle their used plastic bottles. Additionally, The Body Shop recently celebrated five years of partnership with Plastics for Change (PFC), the world’s largest source of fair-trade verified recycled plastic. By sourcing recycled plastic collected by waste pickers in Bengaluru, The Body Shop incorporates it into their packaging after thorough cleaning. This collaboration supports over 500 recycling stakeholders and directly benefits more than 2,500 waste pickers, providing fair compensation and improved livelihood opportunities.
3. Coca-Cola: Aiming for a World Without Waste
Coca-Cola India has set ambitious goals through its World Without Waste initiative, aiming to make all packaging recyclable by 2025 and using 50% recyclable materials in packaging by 2030. The company has already saved thousands of tonnes of plastic through lighter-weight PET bottles and has started trials for using rPET (recycled PET) in bottle-to-bottle recycling. Coca-Cola’s efforts have already resulted in the elimination of over 20,000 metric tons of plastic waste, making significant strides in plastic circularity and packaging innovation.
4. Swiggy: Reinventing Fast Delivery with Sustainability in Mind
Swiggy’s approach to sustainability transcends beyond food delivery. Through efficient logistics and a growing electric vehicle (EV) fleet, the food delivery giant is reducing its carbon footprint. By placing supply points closer to customers, Swiggy ensures that their fast delivery model is more eco-friendly, cutting down on emissions caused by long-distance deliveries. Their efforts go beyond business practices—Swiggy also engages in community-driven initiatives, such as delivering 11,000 vada pavs in partnership with an NGO, earning a Guinness World Record while also addressing food security concerns in underprivileged areas.
5. ITC Ltd.: Turning Waste into Wealth with WOW
ITC’s Well-being Out of Waste (WOW) program is a model for a circular economy, transforming waste-laden neighborhoods into cleaner, healthier spaces. Through partnerships with municipalities and communities, WOW sets up a comprehensive waste segregation and recycling system involving households, sanitation workers, and super-franchisees. The program operates through Dry Resource Collection Centres (DRCCs), creating a streamlined process that maximizes recycling efficiency. WOW exemplifies how waste, when managed thoughtfully, can contribute to sustainable urban living.
