Indian Startups Leading the Charge for Sustainable & Social Development: Top Four CSR Activities By Indian Startups
An Overview:
- Myntra For Earth: Promoting sustainable materials and eco-friendly packaging.
- OYO Hotels’ Reach Initiative: Providing quality education to underprivileged children in India.
- Flipkart Green: Promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.
- Zomato Feeding India Concert: Raising funds to provide meals for COVID-19-impacted underprivileged communities.
India has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, boasting thousands of startups across various sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, and edtech among many others. As these businesses grow, they undertake various CSR programs and in this blog we have enlisted some notable pro-nature CSR activities undertaken by Indian startups. The enlisted activities reflect the awareness and commitment of these companies to make a positive impact on the society as well as the environment. Moreover, by promoting sustainable development these rapidly growing startups not only practice but also inspire their contemporaries within the ecosystem to adopt eco-friendly practices, reduce their carbon footprint, and address other social issues.
Myntra For Earth:
Myntra is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in India, specializing in fashion and lifestyle products. It was founded in 2007 and has since grown to become a go-to destination for millions of shoppers in the country. In 2021 Myntra launched its sustainability drive CSR initiative called,”Myntra for Earth” wherein the main objective was to reduce carbon emission, promote the use of sustainable materials and promote eco-friendly packaging. Additionally, in this program the company also aimed to raise awareness among customers about sustainable fashion choices. Myntra also collaborated with Better Cotton Initiative in order to encourage sustainable cotton farming practices, and with Goonj, a non-profit organization, to support textile waste management and recycling.
(Source: https://twitter.com/_ananyaaa/status/1369891085326065666 )
OYO Reach:
OYO Reach Initiative was a social initiative by OYO Hotels & Homes that provided quality education to underprivileged children in India. The program partnered with NGOs in the field of education, providing them with financial support, resources, and mentoring to improve their operations and expand their reach. OYO Reach Initiative also offered vocational training to young adults from underprivileged backgrounds through “Project Disha,” equipping them with skills to secure jobs and become self-sufficient. The initiative also encouraged OYO employees to volunteer and support these NGOs, contributing significantly to the education and empowerment of marginalized communities in India.
Flipkart Green Initiative Programme (Flipkart Green):
If you are someone who does online shopping, chances are you have used Flipkart as it is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in India and is widely used by millions of people across the country. Flipkart over the years has shown its commitment to environmental responsibility through various sustainability initiatives. One of these initiatives is the “Flipkart Green” program, which was directed at promoting sustainable practices and reducing the company’s carbon footprint. The program consisted of measures to reduce energy consumption and waste generation, such as the installation of solar panels and waste segregation programs. Flipkart also encouraged sustainable practices among its customers and suppliers through the “Green Wishlist” and “Green Packaging” programs, wherein eco-friendly products and packaging materials were highlighted.
Zomato Feeding India Concert:
Zomato has completely transformed the food delivery landscape in India, from food delivery to restaurant reservations, they’re a one-stop-shop for food, and they’ve truly revolutionized the way we eat. The Zomato Feeding India Concert, held virtually in 2020, raised over Rs. 2.5 crore to provide meals to underprivileged communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative also included the ‘Feed the Daily Wager’ program, helping daily wage earners affected by the lockdown.
The Indian startup ecosystem is making significant contributions to sustainable development through their pro-nature CSR activities. As India continues to witness a growth in startups across various sectors, it is heartening to see them not only focus on profitability but also on making a positive impact on society and the environment. The initiatives undertaken by Myntra, OYO, Flipkart, and Zomato reflect their awareness and commitment towards promoting eco-friendly practices, reducing their carbon footprint, and addressing social issues. These startups are setting an example for their contemporaries within the ecosystem to adopt similar eco-friendly practices. It is inspiring to see the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian startups being harnessed towards building a more sustainable future. Such initiatives are not only commendable but also essential to ensuring the long-term well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.
The Green Pillar intends to create a network which serves as a platform wherein such startups and corporates can join hands to do everything in their capacity for the betterment of the environment. We believe that startups have the potential to bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and creative solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing issues. The collaboration between our organisation and such startups has the potential to bring about positive change and create a better world for generations to come. Till now we have reached out to 20+ counties globally and have over 20 partners who are driven to build a positive impact; moreover till date we have positively impacted around 36000+ individuals.
