On World Environment Day, CII West Bengal State Council ESG panel in association with Magpet Polymer, took the initiative of making the city hospitals plastic-neutral by installing a SmartReBin at Woodlands Hospital, in Kolkata, today. This effort aimed to transform hospital campuses into plastic-neutral zones and promote responsible plastic waste management. The geo-tagged SmartReBins, which are PET bottle-shaped and are not meant to be moved or stolen, carry sophisticated in-built sensors that alert the central system for collection once it is full. This helps with the on-time and efficient collection of plastic waste and allows the hospital to monitor the amount of plastic diverted from landfills. The collected PET bottles will be converted into high-quality recycled materials by Magpet Polymers and fed into a circular economy.
CII reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by also organizing a series of initiatives aimed at sensitizing industry stakeholders and employees today in Kolkata. These activities included an e-waste collection drive, sapling distribution, and interactive workshops in collaboration with Hulladek and HariMitti Foundation.
As part of the campaign, CII employees and stakeholders were encouraged to responsibly dispose of their electronic waste. The initiative witnessed enthusiastic participation from industry members and citizens alike, leading to the successful collection of over 100 kilograms of electronic waste. To further raise awareness and foster meaningful dialogue, interactive workshops, and knowledge sessions were conducted on crucial topics such as ESG frameworks, circular economy, urban waste management solutions, corporate sustainability best practices, and responsible consumption. These sessions, led by experts, enabled participants to explore practical ways to incorporate sustainability into their personal and professional lives.
In addition, saplings were distributed amongst the stakeholders to reinforce the organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community participation in reforestation and biodiversity efforts. Together, CII, Hulladek, and HariMitti Foundation aim to continue their collaboration in the coming days with initiatives designed to make Kolkata a more liveable and environmentally conscious city.
ESG helpdesk, promoted by CII West Bengal State Council, will work closely with MSME stakeholders of the state, to extend possible support in creating ESG framework throughout the year.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr Debashis Dutta, Chairman of CII West Bengal State Council and Director of BGS Group, said, “At CII, we believe that sustainability begins with awareness and is continued through action. Our World Environment Day initiative is a step toward engaging the workforce, industry leaders, and society in meaningful practices that contribute to a greener future.”
Mr Rupak Barua, Vice Chairman of CII West Bengal State Council and MD & CEO of Woodlands Hospital, said “Sustainability is not a one-day activity but a continuous journey. Through today’s initiatives, we aim to empower our community with the knowledge and means to adopt environmentally responsible behaviour—both at work and at home.”
Ms Sriyam Mall, Co-founder & CEO of Hulladek Recycling highlighted that as we observe World Environment Day, it is crucial to spotlight one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: electronic waste (e-waste). We are working on transforming consumption patterns, educate individuals on the importance of making conscious choices and drive community engagement. We are also providing effective solution for businesses to convert this crisis into opportunity, comply with environmental norms and be sustainable.
If we really want to reverse the climate change, a little change in thoughts and behaviour can make a big difference, emphasized Mr Suhrid Chandra, Chairman of HariMiiti Foundation.