In this exclusive interview with TheCSRUniverse, Vandana Tandan, the Head of Markets for India and Bangladesh at SIG, a global leader in innovative packaging solutions, brings to light the company’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. The company’s initiatives not only underscore its dedication to fostering sustainable practices but also highlight its proactive approach to educating the younger generation on waste management.
Vandana’s insights offer a profound understanding of how SIG integrates sustainability into its core operations and CSR endeavors. Through strategic partnerships and innovative practices, the company aims to tackle pressing environmental issues while shaping a greener future. In this conversation, we explore the challenges and triumphs of implementing the “One Ton Initiative” across schools, the pivotal role of the Waste Management and Recycling Society (WMARS), and SIG’s broader goals of aligning business practices with sustainability objectives.
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Q. Can you provide an overview of the “One Ton Initiative” and its primary goals?
A. The ‘One Ton Accreditation’ program is a visionary initiative of SIG that aligns with its commitment to building a sustainable world. As a responsible packaging brand, it is an effort to promote sustainable practices by spreading awareness about waste management and segregation through this initiative. As effective waste management remains one of the key concerns of the modern world, we believe in the power of collective action, for which educating the masses is of utmost importance. The initiative aims to engage children, educating them about the importance of effective waste management and segregation and the suitable means to handle it, to tackle the challenges of pollution and environmental degradation. Children are the future of the world, and enlightening them about the consequences of improper waste management from an early age can forge a path for change.
Q. The “One Ton Initiative” educates students on waste management. How can SIG further integrate this with its sustainable packaging solutions and goals? Could there be programs on SIG carton recycling or even collecting used cartons at schools for responsible disposal?
A. Through this initiative, we are not only imparting knowledge about the importance of waste management and its proper disposal but also encouraging children to be change-makers. We have set up waste disposal bins in all 12 schoolswe have started, where children, with assistance from the WMARS (Waste Management and Recycling Society), our partner in this initiative, will collect waste from the school premises. The collected waste will then be segregated, and recycled to make multilayer packaging boards.
Q. Could you elaborate on the role of the Waste Management and Recycling Society (WMARS) in this project?
A. Waste Management and Recycling Society in an NGO and our partner in the ‘One Ton Accreditation’ and shares the responsibility of designing the waste management learning program for the kids, imparting the knowledge, and motivating them to embrace the practice in their daily routine.
The organization will also oversee the waste collection process and ensure its recycling according to environmental standards.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have encountered in implementing this program across 12 schools?
A. A widespread lack of proper awareness about waste disposal was a common issue. It is not that children were unaware of the problems emerging from irresponsible disposal, but their understanding was fragmented. Our program helps to deepen their understanding and motivates them to actively participate in our waste disposal program. We were amazed to witness the enthusiasm and curiosity in these children to learn and implement those teachings.
Q. How do you measure the success of your initiatives? Are there any specific metrics or milestones?
A. We have installed waste disposal bins in all 12 schools, motivating children to gather waste from their surroundings and deposit it in the units. Teachers are tasked to weigh the recyclable waste which is brought to school by students. The goal is to collect 'one ton' of waste from each school, which will be recycled and used for various purposes.
Q. How does the “One Ton Initiative” align with SIG’s broader CSR and sustainability goals?
A. Creating a sustainable world is at the heart of SIG’s business practice, and we have embraced it sincerely. We keep sustainability at the center of all our operations across the globe. The ‘One Ton Initiative’ is a conscientious endeavor to promote efficient waste management, addressing key sustainability concerns. We hope that through this initiative we will be able to bring a wave of change in society.
Q. What are the long-term objectives of this initiative? Do you plan to expand it to other regions or countries?
A. For now, we are focusing on the 12 schools of the National Capital Region (NCR). We will add 4 more schools in 2024 and our objective is to implement our waste management program effectively. We have not yet decided about expanding it to other regions or countries, but it remains a possibility.
Q. How does SIG Group integrate sustainability into its core business operations beyond initiatives like this?
A. In our business practice, we take sustainability efforts quite solemnly and the same is reflected in our CSR initiatives. To meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we use renewable paperboard for our aseptic packaging, sourced from responsibly managed forests. In addition, we are working to increase the proportion of renewable materials in our carton packs to reduce our reliance on fossil-based resources and transition to a more sustainable packaging solution. The straws and caps on our packs are also recyclable. All our packages are lightweight and efficiently designed in our ultra-modern facility to minimize raw material usage and reduce waste.
Q. What role do partnerships play in SIG’s approach to CSR, and how do you select your partners?
A. Our partners help us tailor and implement the programs in the right direction to make an impact in the community.While selecting the partner, we ensure that our vision and mission are well aligned for the overall success of our initiative.
Q. What trends are you seeing in the packaging industry in terms of sustainability and environmental responsibility?
A. In the past few years, the packaging industry has stepped up to innovate and address environmental concerns. From transitioning to renewable materials to introducing QR codes as a last-mile link, they are assuming accountability and embracing change in their business practices. This wave of change is led by the mounting climate concerns and demand for environment-friendly products, which has prompted the company to produce sustainable packages. It is a promising beginning and sets a hopeful tone for the future.
