Every year more than 2 billion tonnes of solid waste is generated globally, of which less than 15% is recycled. The recycling rate for plastic waste is even lower as only 9% of all plastic waste has been recycled. Moreover, microplastics have been discovered in remote, uninhabitable locations such as the depths of the deep seas and the icy expanses of Antarctica.
Waste has a significant impact on climate change. It contributes notably to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from landfills. Inefficient waste management strains our resources and results in pollution, affecting the quality of air, water, and soil. Moreover, it negatively impacts local communities and ecosystems, posing health risks and reducing the overall quality of life. It is imperative for us to implement effective waste management practices to conserve resources and protect the environment.
We manage all our waste throughout our value chain – from sourcing, manufacturing, packaging and post-consumer disposal. We aim to generate as little waste, reuse as much as possible and safely dispose the rest. Lowering our waste footprint enables us to not only reduce our environmental impact but also reduce our costs.
Our aim By 2027 -
Our progress so far
As a global FMCG manufacturer and responsible corporate, we are committed to reducing waste across all our plants, processes, products, and supply chain. For the past five financial years, we have achieved zero waste to landfills from our manufacturing. Beyond managing our manufacturing waste, we also recognise our responsibility to work with communities to manage waste. Our waste management programmes include -
Waste audits
Across our manufacturing plants, we carry out waste assessments to collect and analyse data on our waste generation, disposal practices and areas of improvement. These waste audits help us identify existing waste management practices across our operations and build action plans as per best-in-class approach. Through detailed life-cycle assessments we map waste footprint of our products from raw material sourcing to manufacturing to end-of-use disposal. Each of our site is also ISO 14001 certified for environmental management systems
Action plans to reduce waste generation
A great example of waste reduction is our flagship Malanpur plant in India that recycles Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) sludge and sends it for co-processing at a cement plant. Initiatives like these have helped us achieve a waste diversion rate of 100%.
Quantified targets to minimise waste
Each of our manufacturing sites have annual quantifiable environmental targets that includes reducing waste and diverting waste from landfills. These targets and action plans are reviewed quarterly at the plant and at the corporate level. Every six months the progress is reviewed by the Board ESG committee on our environmental goals. By 2027, we aim to continue to be zero waste to landfill and achieve zero liquid discharge across our manufacturing units.
Investments in R&D to minimise waste
By 2027, we aim to have 80% of our plastic packaging recyclable and we are currently at about 38%. We have mapped 16 products in our portfolio to achieve our target by switching to recyclable packaging material like aqueous coatings, paperboards and BOPP to minimise our packaging waste generation. We also conducted successful trails with several vendors to eliminate cap poly bag liners from our aerosol product. As a result we were able to eliminate the liners and reduce our plastic waste we generate by 7.4 MT / annum.
Waste minimisation training
Twice a year we organise green manufacturing conference where all our green champions from across manufacturing sites gather for learning and sharing best environmental practices. As part of the learning, we create awareness on waste management programmes and bring in industry experts to share state-of-the-art technology solutions for waste reduction, and recycling.
Recycling programmes
We are testing and running trails to include post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic in our packaging. In our products such as Ezee liquid detergent bottle, Good knight LV bottles, HIT cap, we are testing to replace 10%-50% virgin plastic with PCR.
Phasing out single-use plastic
From our offices and manufacturing plants we are phasing out single-use plastics. At our head office we have already phased out single-use plastics. All our garbage bags, stationery and office use items are recyclable and made from biodegradable materials. We are now working with our suppliers to ensure we phase out single-use raw material packaging that we use in our operations.
Increasing use of reuseable packaging
The cartons, bags and corrugated boxes that are used in our supply chain are reused multiple times in our operations. For example, corrugated boxes that we use are recycled and they are reused at least four times to lower our environmental impact.
Investing in R&D for sustainable packaging and alternative solutions
We have invested our R&D resources in making our packaging more sustainable. Moreover, the executive compensation of all GCPL leaders comprises of 15% of people & planet goals. They are in line with the company’s vision to foster an inspiring workplace and build an equitable and greener planet. For sustainable packaging, goals for executive compensation include using better plastics, reducing plastic usage, replacing virgin plastics with post-consumer recycled plastics.
Beyond managing our manufacturing and packaging waste we recognise our responsibility to work with communities to manage waste and ensure recyclable packaging is actually recycled. We collect 100% of the plastic waste we generate each year, and even collaborate with civic agencies, social enterprises, and citizens’ groups to promote material reuse and recycling.