Tag: Goa sustainability

Social

Goa Moves Toward Zero Waste with Godrej Consumer Products’ Innovative Programme

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Goa, February 19, 2026: Known for its pristine beaches and vibrant tourism, Goa faces a unique sustainability challenge, particularly in its rural and semi-urban areas. Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) is addressing this gap with its Integrated Waste Management Programme in the Talukas of Bicholim and Sattari, implementing long-term, community-driven waste solutions.


Partnering with Sampurn(e)arth Environment Solutions, the Mineral Foundation of Goa, municipal councils, and village panchayats, GCPL’s initiative has diverted more than 5,800 metric tonnes of waste from landfills and recycled over 490 metric tonnes of low-value plastics, including commonly discarded milk packets.

Historically, waste collection in these regions was inconsistent, with limited source segregation and informal workers operating without adequate safety or social security. GCPL’s program introduced a complete system—from door-to-door collection to material recovery at the Bicholim MRF, secondary sorting at Harvalem, and recycling at Pissurlem—ensuring accountability at every stage.

Technology plays a key role, with QR-code–based monitoring enabling local authorities to track collection coverage and segregation in real time. Community engagement, through household visits, school programs, cultural outreach, and exposure visits, has helped make waste segregation a daily habit.

A strong focus on waste worker welfare is another highlight. Over 1,300 workers are provided personal protective equipment, enrolled in social security schemes, trained in safe handling, and organised into Self-Help Groups, promoting dignity, financial inclusion, and long-term livelihood security.

The Milk Packet Collection Initiative engaged students as sustainability ambassadors, collecting nearly 140 kg of used milk packets between March 2024 and July 2025, demonstrating the impact of everyday actions on environmental change.

Pakzan Dastoor, Head – Sustainability & CSR, Godrej Industries Group, said, “With over 5,800 tonnes of solid waste diverted from landfills, our Goa initiatives reflect that sustainable change happens when infrastructure, citizen participation, and worker welfare come together.”

Omkar Manjrekar, Block Development Officer, Bicholim Taluka, added, “QR Code–based waste management brings smart accountability to every doorstep, strengthening monitoring and improving overall collection efficiency.”

By integrating infrastructure, behaviour change, and social inclusion, GCPL’s initiatives in Goa set a benchmark for corporate-driven sustainability, demonstrating how companies can foster environmental stewardship, accountability, and community-led transformation.

Godrej Consumer Products is a leading emerging markets company committed to health, beauty, and sustainability. As part of the Godrej Industries Group, it operates in over 1.4 billion households globally, leading in household insecticides, hair care, soaps, air fresheners, and wet tissues. Through its Good & Green and DEI initiatives, GCPL works toward creating a more inclusive and environmentally responsible future.

Human Interest

NSS Students Join Vedanta Sesa Goa in Promoting Environmental Sustainability

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As part of its ongoing #IronWill4GreenerPlanet campaign, Vedanta Sesa Goa organized an educational visit to the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines (SRM) for students of the National Service Scheme (NSS) from Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce (GCASC), Khandola, along with employees of the company. This visit aimed to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices & provided a valuable learning experience for all participants.

During the visit, the group explored the expanse of the SRM and discovered how an erstwhile while mine cluster has been sustainably reclaimed and converted into a verdant & lush ‘green-scape’ supporting endemic flora & fauna. The SRM today comprises the ‘Nakshatra Van’, a medicinal garden that combines the beauty of nature with the healing power of plants, and the ‘Charak Vatika’, another garden focused on traditional medicinal plants. The visiting group also familiarised themselves with the ‘Pisciculture Pond’, which promotes water conservation and sustainable fish farming, demonstrating Vedanta Sesa Goa’s commitment to eco-friendly agricultural practices. The students were particularly impressed by the ‘Bamboo Pavilion’, an eco-friendly structure built using sustainable materials, which highlights the company’s innovative approach to creating green, sustainable spaces.

The students were introduced to the Sesa Football Academy and Sesa Technical School, both established on the reclaimed land utilising the one time workshop and other built up area at the erstwhile mine cluster. As part of this initiative, the NSS students from GCASC have volunteered to become #SesaGreenWarriors, and will play an active role in spreading awareness about eco-conscious behaviors and sustainable practices within their communities around Goa.
The SRM was developed by Sesa Goa in the late 90s when no regulatory or statutory requirements existed for mine closure, today the SRM has emerged as a mode mine closure project having earned accolades at national & international level. Recently, Shri G Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Coal & Mines, Govt of India, had visited the SRM and praised the effort having gone into the project, terming it as a role model for all mining companies.

Dr. Sapna, NSS In-Charge at GCASC, shared, “The visit to the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines was an eye-opening experience for our students. It demonstrated how industry can contribute to environmental conservation and biodiversity restoration. By empowering our NSS students as #SesaGreenWarriors, we are equipping them with the knowledge and passion to drive positive change in their communities and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices.”

Mr Rajesh Kumar, Head ESG, Vedanta Sesa Goa, said, “The #IronWill4GreenerPlanet campaign is about more than just corporate responsibility; it’s about empowering the community to actively engage in the protection of our environment. By partnering with the GCASC NSS students and involving them in this transformative experience, we’re creating future leaders who will champion sustainability. The Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines is a testament to how industry and nature can work in harmony, and through initiatives like these, we reaffirm our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

Through such initiatives, Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The company’s efforts are part of a larger vision to contribute to Swayampurna Goa and #ViksitBharat, ensuring ecologically sustainable businesses are also economically viable. Vedanta Sesa Goa’s commitment to innovative mining practices, renewable energy, and community engagement highlights the company’s role in driving a greener future for Goa, India, and the world.