Kimberly-Clark India in partnership with the Plastics for Change Foundation, celebrates the successful conclusion of ‘Project घर,’ an initiative launched in 2021 to address the mounting challenge of plastic waste by collecting and recycling 22.5 metric tons of single-use and multi-layered plastic to build sustainable housing units for the on-ground waste collectors in the Hubli-Dharwad coastal region of Karnataka. Thus, enabling them to live better, healthier, and financially stable lives.

Kimberly-Clark India has been at the forefront of driving meaningful change through circular solutions, and ‘Project घर’ is yet another step in this direction. Over the course of a year, the initiative has aided the diversion of 22,500 kg of multi-layered and low-density polyethylene from the ocean by using innovative and ethical methods of recycling plastic, producing nearly zero waste, and further empowering 300 beneficiaries at the bottom of the waste management value chain to secure greater income.

“The success of Project घर and the learnings gathered along the way have only strengthened our resolve to develop a circular economy and a more sustainable future. Through our partnership with Plastics for Change Foundation, we have been able to adopt innovative solutions to tackle the growing environmental and societal concerns, while delivering on our global sustainability vision to advance the well-being of underserved communities,” says Mainak Dhar, managing director, Kimberly-Clark India on the completion of the project.

Andrew Almack, CEO, Plastics for Change, says, “In the last one year, through Project घर, we have been able to create better and safer livelihoods for the waste collector community in Hubli. We are extremely proud to have collaborated with Kimberly-Clark India, who shares our commitment to improving the lives of the underserved while reducing the social and environmental impact of plastic waste.”

As part of the project, the company has also collaborated with other channel partners including Ricron Panels to collect and convert non-recyclable plastic waste into sheets that are used as the building material for these houses, which the manufacturer reports to be lighter and more durable than cement sheets or ply and can resist wind speeds of up to 120 km/hour. Women from the community will now have access to safer sanitation facilities and children a secure space to study in.

Over the past years, Kimberly-Clark India has been making significant strides in supporting the development and maturation of environmental sustainability in the country. The company has piloted notable projects including the installation of solar panels at its Pune facility that has helped reduce carbon emissions by 2,400 tons per year through the generation of approximately 1,900,000 units of clean energy. Thus, accelerating its progress towards improving the company’s collective environmental footprint.