In recent years, numerous brands have adopted sustainable practices to mitigate their environmental impact and promote ethical standards. These initiatives include using eco-friendly materials, reducing carbon footprints, and implementing fair trade policies. Below are some companies that are leading the way by integrating sustainability into their core operations, demonstrating that profitability and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
The Indi Threads: Reviving Traditional Indian Textiles
The Indi Threads, headquartered in New Delhi, India, is an emerging name in the sustainable fashion industry, known for its commitment to eco-friendly practices and celebration of India’s rich textile heritage. Founded by Nishtha Chauhan in June 2023, the brand aims to reconnect consumers with traditional Indian fabrics through contemporary designs. Their unique selling points include the use of 100% organic cotton, handmade garments by skilled artisans, and a fully vegan product line. Additionally, many of their clothes are crafted from a blend of cotton and 70% khadi, further emphasizing their dedication to traditional, sustainable textiles. By supporting local communities and promoting environmentally friendly, skin-friendly clothing, The Indi Threads stands out in the market for its authenticity and cultural resonance.
“We believe in preserving our textile legacy while promoting sustainable living,” says Chauhan. “Our inspiration stems from a deep-rooted desire to reconnect people with India’s rich textile heritage and empower local communities. By using organic cotton and ensuring every piece is handmade, we provide products that are safe for the environment and our customers. Each garment tells a cultural narrative, blending the profound history of Indian textiles with modern design sensibilities. Our commitment to sustainability is not just a practice but a movement towards a more culturally enriched and environmentally conscious fashion future.”
Bonjour: Bamboo Socks for Eco-Friendly Fashion
Raj Kumar Jain, Managing Director of Bonjour, highlights the brand’s focus on sustainability through the production of eco-friendly products like bamboo socks. Bamboo is an environmentally sustainable material as it requires minimal water, no chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides to thrive. This makes bamboo an ideal resource for creating eco-friendly fashion products, aligning with Bonjour’s commitment to reducing their environmental footprint.
Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic: Sustainable Summer Treats
Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic, India’s fastest-growing popsicle brand, aims to keep the spirit of the age-old barf-ka gola or chuski alive while offering nutritious desserts made from exotic fruits without chemicals and preservatives. The brand emphasizes sustainability by using eco-friendly bottles with the PET trademark, which are 100% recyclable, along with edible rice straws made from vegetables like beetroot. These initiatives minimize environmental impact and encourage thoughtful consumption, ensuring sweet moments are enjoyed healthily and responsibly.
“In order to differentiate ourselves from other brands and adopt sustainable alternatives, we offer rice straws colored with edible flavors, which are environmentally friendly and safe for consumption. This unique aspect adds an element of novelty and fun to our customer’s experience. They are often motivated to finish their beverages promptly, eager to savor the edible straw afterward. This level of excitement showcases their interest and appreciation for the sustainability aspect as well as the opportunity to engage in a delightful and interactive dining experience,” says Gagan Anand, Founder of Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic.
Thermowaste Solutions: Pioneering Waste Management
Thermowaste Solutions addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste by working with rag pickers, kabadi walas, and safai mitras to collect and recycle various post-consumer recyclable plastics in the Delhi-NCR region. By recycling and utilizing leftover trash to produce renewable fuels, the company seeks to achieve “zero waste to landfill” while aiming for 100% recovery from all garbage. In the financial year 2023-24, they collected 250,000 kilograms of post-consumer thermocol waste from the Delhi-NCR region. Through their socio-entrepreneurial model, they provide self-employment opportunities to BPL families, offering them resources for capacity building and the opportunity to sell their collected waste.
Sanyam Jain, Founder and COD of Thermowaste Solutions, said, “The rising temperature and increased duration of summers call for urgent and on-ground actions for better environmental conditions. We all should pledge to plant one tree every summer season.”
Wadhwa Bakers: Promoting Ethical Consumption
Wadhwa Bakers, located in the heart of Lucknow, is a pioneering bakery dedicated to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. The bakery is renowned for its commitment to reducing waste and promoting ethical consumption. They offer discounts to customers who return their cake boxes, allowing for the reuse of packaging and a significant reduction in paper waste. Additionally, Wadhwa Bakers is a completely eggless bakery, aligning with their values of moral and environmental responsibility.
“It is essential that every individual takes steps to save the planet,” says Sahil Wadhwa, Director of Wadhwa Bakers. “We are committed to contributing to the maintenance of the environment. By offering discounts for returning cake boxes, we encourage our customers to embrace sustainable practices, helping us conserve paper and cut down on waste. This initiative has not only reduced paper waste from our bakery but also motivated many consumers to incorporate sustainable practices into their daily lives. Furthermore, being an eggless bakery exemplifies our commitment to ethical and environmentally friendly behavior.”
Gruner Renewable Energy: Harnessing Nature for Clean Energy
Gruner Renewable Energy is one of the leading sustainable energy technology providers, dedicated to helping customers reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals. The company has taken significant steps to promote sustainability through innovative projects. One notable initiative is the development of a dedicated Napier grass cultivation plant designed to produce high-yield biomass, which is then converted into biogas. Napier grass is a renewable resource that grows quickly, requires minimal water, and thrives on marginal land, making it an ideal solution for sustainable energy production.
“Transforming agricultural innovation into clean energy solutions is essential for a sustainable future. By leveraging this technology, we are reducing dependence on fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and providing a sustainable energy source that supports both environmental and economic goals,” says Utkarsh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Gruner Renewable Energy. This project also creates green jobs and boosts local agricultural practices, contributing to community development and resilience.
Earthraga: Committed to Plastic Neutrality
“We are committed to making a meaningful contribution to sustainability and environmental conservation. We are plastic neutral and have been making cruelty-free and vegan products. We believe in leading by example and are proud to be a part of a greener earth, and our positive actions are our reflection to preserve our environment,” said Ganesh Kamath, Co-founder and CEO of Earthraga.
Earthraga has partnered with government agencies and NGOs to refurbish waste plastic equivalent to the amount used in their packaging, thereby achieving plastic neutrality. Their commitment to a circular economy for plastic not only benefits the environment but also creates social and economic advantages. This initiative embodies their dedication to sustainability, striving to minimize environmental impact while fostering positive social and economic change.
Mysore Deep Perfumery House: Sustainable Agarbatti Production
Mysore Deep Perfumery House, one of the world’s largest raw agarbatti factories, is rewriting the narrative of traditional manufacturing by embracing sustainability at every turn. The company seamlessly merges traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge sustainable energy practices. Since its inception in 2018, this remarkable facility has been revolutionizing the industry landscape, with over 800 machines churning out an astonishing 35 million raw agarbattis daily. Powered entirely by solar energy, the facility saves 650 MW of energy annually and reduces carbon emissions by 650,000 pounds.
“At Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH), we are transforming traditional manufacturing by integrating sustainability into every aspect of our operations. Our state-of-the-art facility in Rampipliya, Indore, is the world’s largest raw agarbatti factory, powered entirely by solar energy. This innovative approach not only allows us to produce 35 million agarbattis daily with remarkable efficiency but also reflects our deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Our dedication to sustainability saves 650 MW of energy annually and reduces carbon emissions by 650,000 pounds, demonstrating that responsible business practices and cutting-edge technology can go hand in hand,” said Anshul Agrawal, Director of Mysore Deep Perfumery House.
Flipkart: Pioneering Waste Management and Water Conservation
Nishant Gupta, Head of Sustainability at Flipkart, emphasizes the company’s commitment to protecting the planet. Flipkart has successfully diverted approximately 3000 tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste across multiple facilities by prioritizing responsible consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials. This achievement is supported by initiatives such as implementing sustainable waste management practices, enhancing waste collection efficiency, careful sorting of waste, and prioritizing data collection on low-value waste.
Furthermore, Flipkart has focused on water conservation by recycling over 67 million liters of wastewater across multiple sites in the past year. This has been achieved through measures like installing water meters for critical monitoring, using flow restrictors to reduce water usage, improving RO output efficiency, and repurposing treated wastewater for various purposes. Through these innovative solutions and strategic initiatives, Flipkart not only reduces water consumption but also harnesses alternate water sources and engages communities to promote conservation efforts.
“As we enhance our sustainability priorities, we are not only preserving natural resources but also setting new standards for a sustainable e-commerce sector. We are focused on continuing our efforts to create a positive impact on the environment and inspire others on this vital journey,” says Gupta.
Sunfeast YiPPee!: Transforming Parks with Upcycled Plastic Waste
Sunfeast YiPPee!, a leading instant Noodle & Pasta brand from ITC Ltd., launched the “YiPPee! Better World: Create Magic” initiative to educate and raise awareness about collecting and upcycling plastic waste. This initiative identified ten parks in each of four cities—Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, and Bengaluru—for refurbishment. Citizens voted for the top four parks in each city to be transformed, contributing to a large-scale plastic waste collection drive. The top 16 parks were announced in February 2024 and transformed in March and April 2024 with equipment made from 11,118 kg of upcycled plastic waste. The initiative was rolled out with NGO partner Recycle India.
These inspiring examples demonstrate that sustainability and business success are not mutually exclusive. Brands like The Indi Threads, Bonjour, Scuzo Ice ‘O’ Magic, Thermowaste Solutions, Wadhwa Bakers, Gruner Renewable Energy, Earthraga, and Mysore Deep Perfumery House are leading the charge, proving that profitability and environmental stewardship can coexist. Their innovative practices and commitment to sustainable living serve as a blueprint for other companies to follow, encouraging a collective effort towards a greener, more sustainable future.
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