New Delhi – Tata Motors Ltd has initiated actions to minimise the consumption of flexible plastic packaging in its operations, the company said in its 2018-19 (Apr-Mar) annual report.
The company reduced plastic packaging used for dispatch of auto parts between plants and warehouses. It is now working on sensitising its suppliers towards reduction of plastic packaging.
Tata Motors is also converting expendable (single-use) plastic packaging to returnable (multiple-use) packaging, where possible, it said.
The company employees saved more than 1,100,000 m2 of plastics going to the environment, the report said.
Among other environment related initiatives, the company commenced ‘Value from Hazardous Waste’ – an initiative across its plants during the reporting period.
The initiative which aims for ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ status diverted hazardous waste from landfill / incineration at approved sites to derive value from it.
The quantum of hazardous waste diverted from landfill / incineration was higher by 15.5% over FY 2017-18. However,due to higher waste generation on the back of higher volumes, hazardous waste sent for disposal to Common Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities also increased by 41.2%.
The company increased its sustainability initiatives in its supply chain processes during FY19. Over hundred suppliers were trained to improve sustainability performance.
Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 lay down provisions for plastic waste management.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 Aug also urged to do away with the practice of single use plastic in the country while delivering the 73rd Independence Day speech.
India CSR, the largest news network on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in India, is organising Plastic Waste Dialogue on 27 Aug in New Delhi in association with Gonative and United Way India Plog Run.
The Dialogue will involve some of the most reputed and competent national and world-renowned speakers from industries, CSR, non-profit organisations, international agencies, academia, and research organisations.
In all, 80 percent of total plastic produced in India is discarded. It mostly ends up choking landfills, drains and rivers and flows into the sea where it is ingested by marine animals. It leaches into soil and water, contaminating the natural environment with poisonous dioxins.
Effective management of plastic waste therefore is crucial to do away with environmental hazard caused by plastics.
A nationwide Plogging Campaign will be announced at the dialogue.
