GCPL programme diverts over 5,800 tonnes of waste from landfills in Goa

PANAJI : Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) has diverted more than 5,800 metric tonnes of waste from landfills through an Integrated Waste Management Programme implemented in Goa’s Bicholim and Sattari talukas, the company said.

The initiative, undertaken in partnership with Sampurn(e)arth Environment Solutions, the Mineral Foundation of Goa, municipal councils and village panchayats, has also facilitated the recycling of over 490 metric tonnes of low-value plastics, including used milk packets.

According to GCPL, waste management systems in several rural and semi-urban areas of the State previously faced gaps such as inconsistent door-to-door collection, limited source segregation and inadequate safety and social security for informal waste workers.

End-to-end system

The company said it introduced an end-to-end waste management system covering door-to-door collection, processing at the Bicholim Material Recovery Facility (MRF), secondary sorting at Harvalem and recycling at Pissurlem. The system is supported by QR code-based tracking to enable local authorities to monitor collection coverage and segregation levels.

Community outreach initiatives, including household engagement, school programmes and exposure visits to waste facilities, have been undertaken to promote source segregation.

GCPL said over 1,300 waste workers have been provided personal protective equipment, trained in safe waste handling practices and enrolled in social security schemes. Many have also been organised into Self-Help Groups to support financial inclusion and livelihood security.

Milk packet collection drive

As part of a focused effort on low-value plastics, the company launched a Milk Packet Collection Initiative in schools and colleges. Between March 2024 and July 2025, nearly 140 kg of used milk packets were collected and recycled.

Pakzan Dastoor, Head – Sustainability & CSR, Godrej Industries Group, said the programme aims to strengthen local capacity and enable a transition to municipal management of waste systems. Omkar Manjrekar, Block Development Officer, Bicholim Taluka, said the QR code-based system has improved monitoring and accountability in garbage collection.

GCPL said the initiative seeks to integrate infrastructure, behavioural change and social inclusion to promote sustainable waste management practices in the State.