CSR & ESG Case Studies for Information & Technology Sector

Case 1

Case Study: Mula Mutha River Cleanup and Community Engagement by Earth5R

INTRODUCTION

The Mula Mutha River in Pune, a vital water body for the city, has faced significant pollution over the years due to improper waste disposal. To tackle this issue, Earth5R launched a river cleanup initiative that combined waste collection with community engagement. Inspired by tribal traditions, the program involved both cleanup efforts and cultural activities like playing football, fostering a sense of ownership over public spaces. Over time, the initiative grew from a small group of volunteers to a large-scale movement, engaging local citizens, NGOs, and corporates.

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

The Mula Mutha River had become a dumping ground for various types of waste, including plastics, metals, and electronic waste. The challenge was to clean the riverbanks while instilling a sense of community ownership to ensure long-term sustainability. Without community engagement and continuous cleanup efforts, the waste would keep accumulating, further degrading the river and its surroundings.

EARTH5R’S INTERVENTION & SOLUTION

Weekly Cleanup Program: Earth5R volunteers began cleaning the banks of the Mula Mutha River every Sunday, ensuring consistent waste removal. Each week, 30-40 volunteers participated, and each volunteer collected an average of 9 kg of waste during the two-hour sessions.

Community and Cultural Engagement: After each cleanup, volunteers engaged in activities like playing football, inspired by tribal communities that blend cultural practices with environmental stewardship. These activities helped create a strong emotional connection to the space, encouraging participants to take ownership of the environment.

Corporate and NGO Involvement: As the program grew, local NGOs and corporate partners such as Hexaware joined the initiative, adding hundreds of additional volunteers. The program gained visibility in the media and was even highlighted by UNESCO as part of its Green Citizen Program, leading to widespread adoption of the cleanup model by the community.

Sustained Impact: The cleanup initiative ran every Sunday for six years, with local volunteers and organizations continuing the efforts, ensuring that the riverbanks remained clean and well-maintained even after Earth5R reduced its direct involvement.

OUTCOMES

Total Waste Collected:
- With 30-40 volunteers collecting an average of 9 kg of waste each Sunday for six years, the total waste collected was:
  - 40 volunteers x 9 kg x 52 Sundays/year x 6 years = 112,320 kg (112.32 tonnes) of waste removed from the riverbanks.

Carbon Offset:
- Recycling waste instead of sending it to landfills offsets approximately 1.34 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of waste. Therefore, the total carbon offset from the waste collected over six years was:
  - 112.32 tonnes x 1.34 tonnes of CO2/tonne = 150.52 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided.

Economic Impact (Circular Economy Value):
- The value of the waste collected, including high-value recyclables such as metals and electronics, was estimated at ₹5 per kilogram. The total economic value generated through recycling was:
  - 112,320 kg x ₹5/kg = ₹561,600 (₹5.61 lakhs).

Volunteering Hours:
- Each cleanup session lasted two hours. Over six years, the total volunteering hours contributed were:
  - 40 volunteers x 2 hours x 52 Sundays/year x 6 years = 24,960 volunteer hours.

ESG KPIs:
- Environmental Impact:
  - Waste removed: 112.32 tonnes.
  - Carbon offset: 150.52 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided.
  - Significant reduction in pollution along the riverbanks and restoration of the local ecosystem.
- Social Impact:
  - 24,960 volunteer hours contributed by local citizens, corporate volunteers, and NGOs.
  - Community engagement and ownership built through creative activities like playing football and art, fostering long-term care for the environment.
- Economic Impact:
  - ₹5.61 lakhs generated through recycling, supporting local waste management and recycling industries.

Community and Cultural Adoption:
- Over time, the initiative became a community-driven mission, with 30-40 volunteers continuing the cleanup efforts every Sunday. This grassroots movement has sustained itself for over six years, creating a model for environmental stewardship.

THE ROAD AHEAD

With the sustained success of the Mula Mutha River cleanup program, Earth5R aims to replicate this model across other polluted rivers and water bodies. By combining environmental restoration with community engagement, Earth5R hopes to inspire more cities to adopt a similar approach to waste management and environmental care.

About Earth5R

Earth5R is an ESG and CSR “Action” platform that empowers communities to take real-world action on environmental challenges. Through its circular economy programs, Earth5R fosters sustainable solutions while driving social impact and economic growth. Earth5R’s work has contributed to offsetting over 954,000 tons of CO2, planting 87,000 trees, and engaging 1.3 million citizens globally. By leveraging technology through its award-winning app, Earth5R enables individuals, governments, and businesses to collaborate in building sustainable, resilient communities

Case 2

EARTH5R© PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY:

INTRODUCTION

Hexaware, a leading IT and business process outsourcing company, sought to make a meaningful impact through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Hexaware partnered with Earth5R to address infrastructure challenges in urban and rural areas of Mumbai by installing solar-powered street lights in urban spaces while simultaneously supporting underprivileged tribal families with solar lamps in rural off-grid areas.

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT

In the selected urban area of Mumbai, there was a significant lack of proper street lighting, leading to safety issues for the local community, especially during the night. The absence of functional street lights had increased risks of accidents and crime, reducing the quality of life in the area. At the same time, in the nearby national forest area, tribal families living in off-grid conditions faced a different kind of lighting problem. These families had no access to electricity, meaning children couldn’t study at night, and women struggled with household tasks like cooking after dark, leading to safety and lifestyle challenges.

EARTH5R’S INTERVENTION & SOLUTION

Urban Area Solar Street Light Installation: Earth5R began by conducting an in-depth study of the urban area to assess the community’s needs, identify high-risk zones, and optimize the placement of the solar street lights. Under Hexaware’s CSR program, Earth5R deployed 50 solar street lights with integrated solar panels, allowing the lamps to charge during the day and illuminate at night. This not only addressed the lighting problem but also significantly improved safety conditions for local residents.

Rural Area Solar Lamp Initiative: For every solar street light installed in the urban area, Earth5R provided one solar lamp to a tribal family living in the off-grid national forest area of Mumbai. These solar lamps were crucial for improving the lives of tribal families, enabling children to study at night and helping women perform household tasks after dark with ease. The lamps also enhanced safety and provided families with more quality time for education and social interactions.

Connecting Urban and Rural Challenges: The initiative was unique in that it linked two distinct but related problems. In the urban area, Hexaware and Earth5R tackled a public safety issue through solar street lights, while in the rural area, they addressed the lack of basic lighting infrastructure for tribal families. By connecting these two communities, the program not only brought safety and convenience to urban residents but also empowered rural families with access to light, improving their quality of life and education opportunities.

OUTCOMES

Enhanced Urban Safety: The installation of 50 solar street lights significantly improved safety and security in the urban area, reducing risks of accidents and crime, and boosting the confidence of residents to move around the area after dark.

Improved Quality of Life for Tribal Families: The provision of solar lamps to tribal families in off-grid areas directly improved their living conditions. Children could now study after sunset, and women could manage household tasks more efficiently. The solar lamps also provided additional safety at night, contributing to a better quality of life for these families.

Holistic Social Impact: This initiative addressed both urban and rural challenges in a single, unified project. By tackling safety concerns in urban areas while supporting underprivileged rural communities, Hexaware and Earth5R created a broader social impact that bridged the gap between different regions and socio-economic groups.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Hexaware plans to expand this initiative by installing more solar street lights in other urban areas, while continuing to provide solar lamps to off-grid tribal families across the region. This dual-impact model aligns with the company’s commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment.

With Earth5R’s continued collaboration, the program aims to address infrastructure gaps and improve the lives of both urban and rural communities, ensuring long-lasting social and environmental benefits.