ESG & CSR case study for Plastic Packaging Based Industries
Case Study: Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Program by Earth5R (2015-2023)
INTRODUCTION
Beginning from 2015 till 2023, Earth5R initiated a large-scale Plastic Waste Management program which prioritized waste segregation, particularly the management of plastic waste. With the participation of an average of 10,000 citizens each year, the program focused on preventing recyclable waste from going to landfills and instead promoting proper waste segregation and recycling practices. This Plastic Waste Management ESG initiative aligns with the growing need for companies engaged in plastic packaging to reduce their environmental footprint, enhance sustainability efforts and improve ESG practices across all their supply chains.
THE ISSUE AT HAND
The Plastic waste that is not properly segregated ends up in landfills or waterbodies like lakes and oceans, where it takes over hundreds of years to decompose. Since plastic is a major part of solid waste, companies who are involved in manufacturing and using plastic packaging are facing increasing scrutiny to adopt responsible Plastic Waste Management ESG practices, as outlined in Earth5R’s plastic waste recovery system. The task is to make sure that plastic waste is efficiently diverted from landfills and are recycled effectively. This would ensure sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of harmful pollutants like plastics. Earth5R’s circular economy solutions effectively addresses this problem and offers a scalable method to tackle the issue.
EARTH5R’S INTERVENTION & SOLUTION
- Citizen-Led Waste Segregation Initiative: From 2015 to 2023, an average of ten thousand citizens worked in Earth5R’s waste segregation program every year. These volunteers were trained to separate plastics from other recyclables from household waste, preventing it from being mixed with organic and hazardous waste.
- Daily Waste Segregation: Each citizen separated approximately 0.5 kg of waste each day, which amounted to around fifteen kilograms of recyclable waste per month. The focus was mainly on dry waste, which included metal, plastic, and paper, ensuring that these materials can be reused and recycled .
- Continuous Engagement and Long-Term Impact: Over 8 years, the citizens who actively participated in the project significantly reduced the amount of waste that were sent to landfills. By showcasing the importance of waste separation and recycling, Earth5R contributed to long-term behavioural change, which made waste management a regular part of life.
OUTCOME:
Amount Of Waste Segregated:
- With ten thousand citizens’ active participation every year and each segregating around fifteen kilograms of recyclable waste per month, the total waste separated per year was: 10,000 citizens x 15 kg/month x 12 months = 1.8 million kg (1,800 tonnes) of recyclable waste each year.
- Over the 8 years, the total waste segregated was: 1.8 million kg/year x 8 years = 14.4 million kg (14,400 tonnes) of waste diverted from landfills and recycled.
Plastic Waste Management:
Out of the total waste separated, a major portion was plastic packaging waste. If we assume 50% of the recyclable waste was plastic, the total plastic waste managed over the course of 8 years was: 14,400 tonnes x 50% = 7,200 tonnes of plastic waste recycled.
Carbon Offset:
Recycling plastic effectively reduces carbon emissions as compared to producing new plastic. On an average, recycling one tonne of plastic can save around 1.5 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions. The total carbon offset from recycling and reusing 7,200 tonnes of plastic over 8 years was: 7,200 tonnes of plastic x 1.5 tonnes of CO2/tonne = 10,800 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions avoided.
Economic Impact (Value of Recycled Materials):
Generally the value of recycled plastic vary, but for this case study, we have assumed an average value of ₹20 per kg for recyclable plastic material. The total economic value of the plastic waste recycled was: 7,200 tonnes x 1,000 kg/tonne x ₹20/kg = ₹144 million (₹14.4 crores) generated from the recycled plastic.
Volunteering Hours:
Every citizen contributed an average of two hours per month to separate waste and manage recycling work. Over 8 years, the total number of volunteer hours was: 10,000 citizens x 2 hours/month x 12 months/year x 8 years = 1,920,000 volunteer hours.
ESG KPI’s
Environmental Impact:
- Waste Recycled: 14,400 tonnes of recyclable waste was prevented from reaching landfills, including 7,200 tonnes of plastic waste.
- Carbon Offset: 10,800 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions were avoided through plastic recycling efforts.
- Pollution Reduction: By diverting plastic waste from landfills or oceans, the initiative significantly reduced environmental pollution and plastic contamination in natural ecosystems. This also helped in promoting Plastic Waste Management ESG practices in the area.
Social Impact:
- 1.92 million volunteer hours was contributed to the program by citizens. This created a sense of community ownership and responsibility towards efficient waste management.
- Behavioral Change: Persistent efforts for educating and engaging citizens led to a lasting impact on their waste management practices, promoting sustainable development and recycling habits within their communities.
Economic Impact:
- ₹14.4 crores were generated from just recycling plastic waste. This created an economic value from waste materials which also supported the recycling industry.
- Circular Economy: The program supported the development of a circular economy by reintroducing valuable materials like plastic into the production cycle while reducing the need for virgin materials.
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Governance Impact:
- Compliance with Sustainability Goals: Firms involved in plastic packaging can use this case study to align with sustainability and ESG goals. They can demonstrate their commitment to responsible Plastic Waste Management ESG practices.
IMPACT ON COMPANIES USING PLASTIC PACKAGING
Companies engaged in plastic packaging, such as food and beverage manufacturers, can benefit from participating in or supporting similar waste management initiatives. By investing in or collaborating with Earth5R’s programs, these companies can reduce their environmental footprint, enhance their ESG performance, and demonstrate leadership in responsible plastic waste management. This partnership can also contribute to fulfilling corporate sustainability goals, such as reducing plastic waste and improving recycling rates.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Given the success of the program, Earth5R plans to expand its waste segregation and recycling efforts to more cities and communities, engaging a larger number of citizens and corporates. By scaling up this initiative, Earth5R aims to prevent even more plastic waste from reaching landfills, while continuing to educate citizens about the importance of recycling and sustainability.
Case Study 2
ESG & CSR Case Study: Waste Segregation and Plastic Waste Collection Program with Earth5R
INTRODUCTION
Plastic waster, especially the small pieces of plastic such as in multi-layer packaging, has become a serious environmental challenge in urban ecosystems. These synthetic materials which often end up in public spaces, gutters, and waste hotspots, eventually break down into microplastics that are difficult to recover and cause significant damage to the environment. To fight this problem, Earth5R teamed up with a leading company to host a large-scale awareness and waste segregation program in some of the key metro cities of India. The target was to teach citizens the importance of proper waste segregation, promote recycling and prevent plastic waste from reaching landfills and public areas.
THE ISSUE AT HAND
Generally, when plastic waste gets mixed with organic or wet waste it becomes nearly impossible to recycle. In absence of proper waste segregation, plastic materials accumulate in public spaces and waterways. These later break down into microplastics that enter ecosystems like the ocean, and ultimately the food chain. The task was to create widespread awareness and behavioral change around waste separation, ensuring that plastic waste can be collected and recycled before it becomes an environmental hazard.
EARTH5R’S INTERVENTION & SOLUTION
Earth5R forged and implemented a comprehensive awareness and waste segregation initiative in collaboration with the company. The program targeted colleges, schools, local communities and residential complexes:
Training Citizens on Recycling Plastic Waste Providing Container for collecting Plastic Waste
- Behavioral Change and Community Engagement: Earth5R encouraged community members to pledge to separate their plastic waste before disposing them and provided practical guidance on how to segregate plastic materials from wet and organic waste. These efforts initiated long-lasting behavioral changes within communities. The participants committed to proper waste management practices to protect the urban ecosystem.
- Plastic Collection and Recycling Program: Following the awareness campaign, Earth5R initiated a plastic collection drive across the residential buildings involved. Participants were encouraged to separate and collect small plastic waste along with multi-layer packaging, which was then sent for pyrolysis or recycling, depending on the suitability of the process.
OUTCOME
- Total Waste Collected and Diverted from Landfills:
Earth5R was able to collect five hundred tons of plastic waste from the participating buildings and successfully diverted it from landfills. This plastic waste was either sent to recycling centers or used for pyrolysis, which prevented it from becoming an ecological hazard.
- Citizens Trained:
The program trained over 25,000 citizens and equipped them with the technique and tools to properly segregate their waste. This resulted in a massive change in how communities approached waste management, with many pledging to continue proper segregation practices in the future.
- Reduction in Microplastic Formation:
By making sure that the plastic waste was properly segregated and sent for recycling, Earth5R helped prevent substantial amounts of plastic from breaking down into microplastics. This led to reduction in plastic pollution in waterways, public spaces, and other ecosystems.
- Behavioral Shift:
The initiative led to a major shift in the way communities treated plastic waste. Participants became more mindful of their consumption and disposal habits as they understood that segregation is key to reducing plastic waste’s harmful impact on the environment.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Earth5R plans to extend this waste segregation and plastic collection initiative to other cities and regions. The Environmental NGO will continue to educate citizens and promote sustainable waste management practices. By expanding the reach of this program, Earth5R and its partners aim to cause a larger impact by diverting plastic waste from landfills and preventing further ecological degradation.
About Earth5R
Earth5R is a leading ESG and CSR “Action” platform that formulates and implements real-world environmental initiatives. They work on empowering communities to take meaningful action through its innovative programs. Earth5R helps companies and individuals make positive environmental and social impact by promoting circular economy principles, sustainability, and community engagement.