Stepping up for the environment

Plastic pollution is an immanent threat to our environment, affecting marine and land ecosystems in adverse ways. Collective and collaborative action may be the key as Allcargo Group, one of India’s key players in the logistics sector shows the way by stepping up for the environment.

Here’s the story of what happens when concerned citizens and corporates come together for the environment.

Carter Road is an iconic spot in Mumbai. A neatly paved promenade popular with the young and old, alike who come to regularly soak in the sublime sunrise and sunset as the waves of the Arabian Sea, crash against the mangroves – it’s one of those places that lends beauty to the bustling city of Mumbai. Yet, a peep beyond the concrete partition that keeps the sea away, tells a dismal story. Not many would believe there’s a small beach there – it is that covered with plastic and other waste left behind by those who visit the popular spot. However, all it takes is some care and dedication, as shown by concerned citizen groups and logistics multinational, Allcargo Group, to write a different story. With the Founder and Chairman, Mr. Shashi Kiran Shetty, setting an example, employees of Allcargo came together to clean up Carter Road. They collaborated with citizen movement Carter Cleanup, Ek Saath Foundation, as well as Khushiyan Foundation to clean up the beach. Carter Cleanup and Ek Saath Foundation clean the beach and adjoining mangroves nearly every day, and have also partnered with recycling companies to help transform the waste and marine debris into benches, which are placed on Carter Road itself. In just one morning the team members, along with their friends and family members who also joined in for this activity, collected 450 kg of waste, which will be recycled to make benches. A street play was also put up to raise awareness on the 3Rs – reduce, recycle, and reuse. Allcargo Group has a history of employee action, and team members regularly participate in various activities for environmental and social welfare. This is further fortified by its core value of Care and Environment for Society, and strategic approach to sustainability where colleagues from across the world, work in collaboration with external consultants and technology experts to work towards implementing initiatives to help reduce the carbon footprint.

India generates 55 million tonnes of municipal waste annually and is one of the most polluted countries as per IQAir’s World Air Quality Report. Many Indian cities like Delhi are already facing the impact of climate change, like various other parts of the world.

However, citizen and corporate action is key to change the situation. All it takes is relentless commitment from the leadership, supported by an enthusiastic, conscious team!