Case 1

ESG Case Study: Powai Lake Cleanup and Waste Segregation Program by Earth5R

INTRODUCTION

Powai Lake, a crucial ecosystem in Mumbai, suffers from significant pollution due to improper waste disposal by visitors and illegal dumping from small offices and factories. Surrounded by high-density residential areas, colleges, and major global companies in a special economic zone, Powai Lake faces the challenge of managing large amounts of waste daily. In response, Earth5R initiated a four-year program (2018-2023) involving local citizens, companies, NSS groups, and NGOs to tackle this issue through weekly cleanups, waste segregation, and recycling. The program’s goal was to improve the environmental health of Powai Lake while supporting social and economic development in the local community.

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

Powai Lake receives around half a ton of waste each day, consisting primarily of single-use plastics, metal cans, glass bottles, electronic waste, and even medical waste. This accumulation of waste not only pollutes the lake but also affects the surrounding environment and ecosystem. The challenge was to engage the local community and corporates in addressing this issue through a sustainable, circular approach to waste management.

EARTH5R’S INTERVENTION & SOLUTION

Earth5R’s comprehensive solution for Powai Lake’s waste management involved four key components:

 

1. • Weekly Cleanup Drives: Earth5R organized cleanup activities every Sunday, where an average of 70 volunteers—including college students, corporate employees, and local residents—gathered to clean the area around Powai Lake. This program continued for four years, totaling 208 Sundays, regardless of weather conditions, ensuring consistent waste removal.

• • Waste Segregation and Data Analysis: All collected waste was meticulously sorted into categories: single-use plastics, metals, glass, electronic waste, medical waste, and other recyclables. Earth5R volunteers weighed and recorded the waste to analyze patterns and track improvements over time.

• • Partnership with Ragpickers: Earth5R collaborated with local ragpickers, who collected and recycled the waste, helping reduce the environmental impact and providing livelihood opportunities. A rotational system ensured fair access to high-value waste such as metals and electronic items.

• • Awareness Campaigns and Behavioral Change: Earth5R used data collected from the waste segregation process to run awareness campaigns across the local community, schools, and corporate offices, educating them about the importance of proper waste management. This approach fostered significant behavioral change, with local residents becoming more mindful of their consumption and waste disposal habits.

OUTCOMES

 

1. • Total Waste Collected:
     

      

     • • With an average of 70 volunteers collecting 4 kg of waste per person every Sunday for four years, the total waste collected was:
         

          

         • • 70 volunteers x 52 weeks x 4 years x 4 kg/volunteer = 58,240 kg (58.24 tonnes) of waste.

• • Total Volunteering Hours:
    

     

    • • Each cleanup session lasted two hours. Over four years, the total volunteering hours were:
        

         

        • • 70 volunteers x 52 weeks x 4 years x 2 hours = 29,120 volunteer hours.

• • Economic Impact:
    

     

    • • The collected waste had an average value of ₹5 per kilogram. The total economic value generated through recycling efforts was:
        

         

        • • 58,240 kg x ₹5/kg = ₹291,200 (₹2.91 lakhs), benefiting local ragpickers and contributing to the circular economy.

• • Carbon Offset:
    

     

    • • Recycling the waste instead of sending it to landfills helped offset greenhouse gas emissions. On average, recycling 1 tonne of mixed waste offsets 1.34 tonnes of CO2. Therefore, the total carbon offset was:
        

         

        • • 58.24 tonnes x 1.34 tonnes of CO2/tonne = 78.04 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided.

• • ESG KPIs:
    

     

    • • Environmental Impact:
        

         

        • • Waste removed: 58.24 tonnes.
        • • Carbon offset: 78.04 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
        • • Improved air quality and reduced waste entering the ecosystem.

    • • Social Impact:
        

         

        • • 29,120 volunteer hours contributed by local citizens and corporate volunteers.
        • • Empowerment of local ragpickers through equitable access to high-value recyclables.

    • • Economic Impact:
        

         

        • • ₹2.91 lakhs generated through recycling efforts, supporting the local circular economy.

    • • Behavioral Change:
        

         

        • • Large-scale behavioral change achieved through continuous education and data-driven awareness campaigns, leading to a decrease in waste dumping around Powai Lake.

• • Community Engagement:
    

     

    • • The program involved multiple stakeholders, including citizen groups, NSS organizations from local colleges, corporate volunteers, and NGOs. This collective effort resulted in widespread community ownership and long-term sustainability of the project.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Given the success of this initiative, Earth5R plans to replicate the Powai Lake model in other urban areas. The goal is to engage more local communities, corporates, and NGOs to address waste management issues while fostering sustainable practices and empowering underserved populations through circular economy programs.

About Earth5R

Earth5R is an ESG and CSR “Action” platform that focuses on driving real-world sustainability initiatives. With a strong emphasis on waste management, recycling, and community engagement, Earth5R creates impactful programs that benefit both the environment and local economies.