New mobile cooling solutions aim to reduce food loss and improve livelihoods for street vendors, aligning with the company’s 2030 Sustainability Commitments.
By [Your Name], Washington Post
Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global leader in climate innovation, has recently advanced its climate-friendly initiatives in India, aligning with its ambitious 2030 Sustainability Commitments. The company has introduced cooling carts, free of charge, to street vendors across various regions in India. This initiative follows the development of a prototype cooling cart system in September 2022 and aims to protect food from excessive heat, reduce food loss, and improve the livelihoods of street vendors.
Affordability and ease of use have been paramount in the development of the Cooling Cart. Utilizing passive cooling technology, these carts combat food loss effectively and support small-scale farmers by enhancing food management practices, particularly during last-mile delivery. Globally, 30% of produced food is lost or wasted, and 1.3 billion people face food insecurity. In India, up to one-third of food loss occurs through street vendors due to harsh weather and lack of affordable cooling solutions. Many vendors, earning less than $5 a day and often being sole providers for their families, are significantly impacted by this loss. The new Cooling Cart extends the shelf-life of fresh produce by 1-2 days, enabling vendors to sell more and increase their income.
Since its initial launch in Kolar, the Cooling Cart has expanded to Karnataka, Maharashtra, Mangalore, and even Nigeria. Fifteen carts have been distributed, with positive feedback from local vendors highlighting their transformative impact. The initiative has also seen collaboration with academic institutions like the Cambridge Institute of Technology and the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business, as well as partnerships with members of Karnataka’s Legislative Assembly (MLAs), fostering wider adoption of the technology.
“We are truly thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with Trane Technologies in bringing this innovative solution to our community,” said Vishwas Uchila Shishir, Director of Section Infin-8 Foundation. “The Cooling Cart initiative will enhance the efficiency of street vendors and contribute to their overall well-being by allowing them to store and display their products more hygienically and conveniently.”
Wilson Lawrence, Vice President & General Manager of India Engineering & Technology Center at Trane Technologies, expressed the company’s commitment to advancing the Cooling Cart’s design for better user-friendliness, durability, and cost-effectiveness. “We are actively seeking partnerships with organizations like the UNDP and WFP to broaden our impact and reach more needy vendors, thereby significantly enhancing local community livelihoods,” Lawrence said.
Developed under Trane Technologies’ Operation Possible initiative, an employee-powered social innovation program aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the Cooling Cart is part of the company’s broader efforts to address global challenges.
Shirin Salis, Vice President of Human Resources at Trane Technologies, noted, “Operation Possible is more than just an incubator for transformative ideas; it’s a catalyst for collaboratively addressing environmental, social, and economic disparities. With a shared commitment to progress, the Cooling Cart initiative unites diverse and inclusive voices to drive meaningful change. It has contributed to a culture of innovation, and we’re proud to be recognized among India’s 50 Best Workplaces for building a culture of Innovation by All, by the Great Place to Work® Institute.”
For decades, Trane Technologies has been at the forefront of climate innovation, committed to challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world. Through its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, the company continues to set new standards in technology, enhancing the health and well-being of people and the planet.