Team News Riveting
Balconagar; June 8
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a subsidiary of Vedanta Aluminium, organized a series of awareness events and community initiatives demonstrating its unwavering commitment to environmental preservation.
The initiatives were taken as an extension to Vedanta Aluminium’s #GreenHearts campaign which aims to rally people all over the country to come together and plant a sapling for a better and greener future. The initiatives included the distribution of more than 10,000 cloth bags as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bags, a walkathon involving over 500 students, and an extensive tree plantation drive.
In line with the Government of India’s Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative, and this year’s theme of #BeatPlasticPollution, BALCO undertook an extensive campaign to spread awareness about the adverse effects of single-use plastics. To support this cause, the company collaborated with the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) to distribute more than 10,000 cloth bags to community members and school children across Raipur. Over 500 school children also participated enthusiastically in a state-level walkathon organized by BALCO in association with CECB.
Participants were rewarded with eco-friendly goodies, including a 2023 calendar made of recycled paper and seed paper, as well as savories made with organic ingredients by the Self-Help Group members supported by BALCO. These gestures aimed to promote sustainable alternatives and emphasize the importance of reducing plastic waste.
As a responsible corporate citizen, BALCO recognizes the importance of ensuring sustainable business operations. It demonstrated its commitment in this regard by introducing electric vehicles (EVs) for internal travel within its extensive plant premises. By embracing this innovative and sustainable solution, BALCO has taken a significant stride towards reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to environmentally friendly transportation.
The company also initiated a plantation drive at its operations. Over 100 saplings were planted, and a commitment was also made to plant over 1 lakh trees within this year alone. This endeavor aligns with the company’s mission to contribute significantly to afforestation efforts and help combat climate change.
Speaking on BALCO’s environment conservation efforts, Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director, BALCO, expressed, “We are firmly committed to restoring and preserving our ecosystem, nurturing conservation efforts across all our operations. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative thinking, we are determined to forge a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come. Together, we can forge a path towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future. Our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the ecosystem is deeply embedded in our vision, corporate objectives, production processes, and the way we conduct our business. We acknowledge our responsibility and will persist in taking actions that preserve and protect the environment.”
Talking about the initiatives Shailesh Pisda, Regional Officer, CECB Korba, said, “BALCO is an environmentally responsible organization, and it has been continuously taking important and pro-active steps towards helping safeguard our planet. I am truly impressed by the company’s initiative to introduce Electric Vehicles (EVs) within its plant premises. This forward-thinking step demonstrates BALCO’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Korba is being benefitted from BALCO’s environmental conservation measures and we look forward to more such initiatives in the future.”
BALCO’s dedication to environmental preservation extends beyond World Environment Day. The company has planned a weeklong campaign around the occasion. This includes activities such as a cleanliness drive involving employees and the local community, an awareness rally, interactive sessions called “BALCO Talks” featuring industry experts, screening of environmental documentaries within the plant premises, and encouraging carpooling among employees. These initiatives aim to foster a sense of collective responsibility and encourage sustainable practices among BALCO’s stakeholders.
BALCO’s commitment to environmental preservation goes beyond the celebration of World Environment Day. In line with Vedanta #GreenHearts campaign, which encompasses its operations in Orrisa and Chhattisgarh, BALCO has planned an extensive weeklong campaign. This includes activities such as a cleanliness drive involving employees and the local community, an awareness rally, interactive sessions called “BALCO Talks” featuring industry experts, screening of environmental documentaries within the plant premises, and encouraging carpooling among employees. These initiatives aim to foster a sense of collective responsibility and encourage sustainable practices among BALCO’s stakeholders.
Aligned with its vision of ‘Zero Harm, Zero Waste, and Zero Discharge’ BALCO has planted approximately 30 lakh saplings in its vicinity, since commencing operations. The company is also exploring greener options for diversifying its energy sources. In recognition of its efforts towards environment conservation, BALCO has been awarded industry recognitions such as ‘Sustainable Factory of the Year’ by Frost and Sullivan, ‘GreenCo Silver’ in the CII Green Company Rating System, and others in the recent years
