World Environment Day: From Plastic Panic to Planet-First Practice

Last Updated:June 05, 2025, 20:44 IST

World Environment Day is no longer just about raising awareness. It’s about building models of change that can be scaled, shared, and sustained

This World Environment Day, the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution” may sound familiar—but behind the buzzwords, something different is taking shape. Across India, a quiet revolution is underway. Not through headline-grabbing events or symbolic gestures, but through integrated, community-rooted, and purpose-driven action. From forest lodges that tread lightly to lab-grown diamonds redefining luxury, a new generation of brands, thinkers, and changemakers are transforming sustainability from a compliance checklist into a living philosophy.

Here’s how leaders across sectors: from travel and tech to packaging and rural development are shaping a regenerative future that’s not only greener, but more just, inclusive, and imaginative.

Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head, PepsiCo India and South Asia, says, “At PepsiCo India, sustainability isn’t just a commitment—it’s action. Through our ‘Partnership of Progress’ philosophy, we’re driving circular ecosystems, transforming plastic waste into community assets, and empowering waste workers on the ground.”

Project Purna in Mathura-Vrindavan has helped divert over 3,200 metric tons of waste while enabling women to increase their incomes through recycling. Our flagship program ‘Tidy Trails’ has already steered 68,000 kg of plastic waste into recycling across Agra and Guwahati—and we’re expanding to New Delhi and Pune.

“We’re the first in the industry to introduce 100% recycled plastic (rPET) bottles in the carbonated beverage category, with Pepsi Black and now Sting. And through partnerships like CII India Plastic Pact, we’re actively contributing to solutions that scale impact.

These initiatives are a testament to driving sustainable change at the grassroots level—where real impact begins. Together, we can turn everyday actions into lasting change for a cleaner, greener planet,” adds Singh.

Eco-Travel, Ground Up

For brands deeply intertwined with nature, sustainability isn’t an initiative, it’s a way of being.

“At Jungle Camps India, every decision- how we build, power, hire, and serve is anchored in respect for the wild and responsibility toward the future,” says Gajendra Singh Rathore, Managing Director. “We operate in India’s most sensitive ecosystems, and our presence must heal more than it harms. Through conscious hospitality, we aim to inspire guests, uplift communities, and conserve landscapes—creating living sanctuaries, not just scenic backdrops.”

For Intrepid Travel, a global leader in responsible tourism, the fight against plastic began nearly two decades ago. “We’ve said no to plastic in India for over 18 years—offering every guest a reusable tote and working with hotels to replace plastic bottles with glass ones,” says Rama Mahendru, Country General Manager. “We believe small, consistent actions lead to big change.”

BLS International’s Shikhar Aggarwal echoes the shift, pointing to a generational change: “Sustainability is no longer an afterthought. Today’s travellers—especially millennials and Gen Z—seek authentic, untouched destinations. Tourism, when done responsibly, becomes a tool for preservation, not disruption.”

Packaging a Planet-First Future

Plastic, once hailed as innovation’s miracle, has become one of our greatest environmental burdens. But companies are now reengineering not just their products, but the systems behind them.

“At DS Group, we embraced recycled PET in packaging back in 2021, long before it was mandated,” shares Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman. “Our #SaveTheFuture campaign aims to go beyond awareness—to provoke action and shift consumer mindsets. This year, we’re planting 10,000 trees and continuing to build LEED-certified green buildings. Our ambition is to be a force for ecological and cultural regeneration.”

Tetra Pak, too, is betting big on breakthrough innovation. “Sustainability for us means rethinking every stage of the lifecycle,” says Cassio Simões, Managing Director, South Asia. “From plant-based polymers to fiber-based barriers, our goal is to lead a system-wide shift—delivering recyclable, renewable, and low-impact packaging while working with partners on ground-level collection and recycling.”

Circular Thinking in Rural and Urban India

Plastic pollution isn’t just an urban story. Rural India, once grounded in low-waste traditions, is now grappling with plastic’s silent invasion.

“From blocked drains to plastic-fed livestock, the problem is urgent,” says Omkar Hande, Junior Researcher, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR). “But clean, plastic-free villages are possible. Community ownership is key—through awareness, waste segregation, and incentivised local systems like ‘Give Plastic, Take Gold’ in Jammu or upcycled plastic livelihoods in Kerala.”

That philosophy is echoed by Pearl Tiwari, CEO of Ambuja Foundation: “Our rural programs empower communities to lead their own transformation—waste segregation hubs, door-to-door collection, and composting run by local women. Plastic isn’t just a pollutant—it’s a social challenge. Solutions must be local, inclusive, and lasting.”

Carbon, Consciousness, and the Circular Economy

Climate action today needs to move beyond offsetting and into active regeneration.

“At MMCM, we view waste as a resource,” says Yashodhan Ramteke, Head, Carbon Business Unit. “From recycling to carbon reduction, the road to net-zero is about transparency, scale, and inclusive innovation.”

1M1B’s youth-led model is leading this charge. “India’s young changemakers are not just spreading awareness—they’re building solutions,” says Manav Subodh, Founder and Chief Mentor. “Our Changemakers World Cup gives these initiatives a global platform—from village actions to the United Nations. Real change begins locally.”

Luxury With a Lighter Footprint

In the jewellery world, Solitario Diamonds is rewriting the narrative of what luxury means.

“Lab-grown diamonds offer all the brilliance without the environmental cost,” says Anurag Lunia, COO. “To us, sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s our north star. Every piece we create reflects elegance with empathy. That is the true sparkle of conscious luxury.”

Where Do We Go From Here?

The message from India’s environmental vanguards is clear: The age of performative sustainability is over. Whether in the wild, in the city, or in the boardroom, action must be systemic, consistent, and rooted in long-term impact—not optics.

World Environment Day is no longer just about raising awareness. It’s about building models of change that can be scaled, shared, and sustained. And as these voices show, it’s already happening—quietly, powerfully, and purposefully.

Swati Chaturvedi

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More

Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More

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