CSR initiative launches mural made of recycled plastic, signaling commitment to sustainable waste management
In a bid to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable waste management, HDFC Bank Parivartan, the CSR arm of HDFC Bank, has inaugurated a striking 26-foot by 6-foot mural made entirely of upcycled plastic bottle caps. Created by young students, the mural marks the initiation of a solid waste management project in collaboration with the Waste Warriors Society in Barwala, Dharamshala. Unveiled on World Earth Day, the mural serves as a poignant reminder of the detrimental impact of unchecked waste disposal, particularly on delicate ecosystems like the Himalayas, while advocating for innovative waste upcycling solutions.
The unveiling ceremony coincides with the theme of this year’s Earth Day, “Planet vs. Plastics,” underscoring HDFC Bank Parivartan’s commitment to addressing the escalating challenge of plastic pollution. Ms. Nusrat Pathan, Head of CSR, emphasized the initiative’s alignment with the Earth Day theme and reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to fostering positive change in rural communities through sustainable waste management practices. With a focus on curbing plastic waste dumping and burning, particularly in areas frequented by locals and tourists, HDFC Bank Parivartan aims to instigate behavioral change and establish enduring waste management systems, reaching an estimated 25,000 individuals.
Expanding its footprint across diverse regions, HDFC Bank Parivartan’s waste management interventions now span over 600+ villages and 14 cities nationwide, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Assam. With aspirations to extend waste management systems to over 1000 villages and 15 cities by 2025, the bank’s CSR program underscores its commitment to fostering a plastic-free future and enhancing community well-being in ecologically sensitive areas.
In Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, HDFC Bank has teamed up with Waste Warriors for a three-year project aimed at addressing rural waste management challenges and promoting responsible tourism in Dharamshala and Bir Billing. Recognizing the threat posed by waste generation to wildlife and local communities amidst a tourist influx of over 5 million annually, the project emphasizes the conversion of waste materials into marketable products, providing upcycling training to locals, especially women and youth. With a focus on 100% doorstep waste collection and segregation, the initiative aligns with government schemes for sustainable impact.
Beyond Himachal Pradesh, HDFC Bank Parivartan is spearheading waste management initiatives across the nation. In Chhattisgarh, the bank collaborates with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) to implement Waste Management Projects targeting six cities and 300+ villages, boasting a unique mix of Material Recovery Facility and Recycling Facility. Similarly, the bank is establishing waste centers in association with Gramin Vikas Trust across 85 villages in Golaghat, Assam, benefiting 16,526 households. In Kerala, HDFC Bank Parivartan partners with M S Swaminathan Research Foundation to enhance waste management and income generation, while in Uttar Pradesh, the bank collaborates with SAAHAS to drive impactful change across 80 villages through source segregation and scientific landfill disposal.
With a strategic focus on promoting plastic waste recycling, recovery, and circular economy principles, HDFC Bank’s CSR endeavors are not only tackling environmental challenges head-on but also empowering local communities and contributing to the realization of a cleaner, more sustainable future. Through synergistic partnerships, active community engagement, and robust capacity building initiatives, HDFC Bank is actively shaping socio-economic development and environmental stewardship across diverse landscapes.