Community-Led Clean-Up Drives and Education Anchor IHCL’s Circular Economy Mission
In a forward-thinking initiative that exemplifies the power of partnerships for sustainability, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has joined hands with United Way Mumbai to elevate waste management through grassroots efforts, public-private cooperation, and citizen engagement.
The initiative is part of IHCL’s broader ESG+ framework “Paathya”, which prioritises sustainable practices across its operations. This collaboration reflects the company’s vision to go beyond traditional environmental action and build lasting, community-led solutions that create both environmental and social value.
H2 : From Hotels to Harbours: Waste Management with a Purpose
Waste is more than an eyesore—it’s an environmental crisis impacting public health, urban livability, and marine ecosystems. IHCL, India’s premier hospitality brand, has taken a bold step by collaborating with United Way Mumbai to address this pressing issue at the community level.
The initiative has been focused on critical areas of Mahim Reti Bunder and Mahim Causeway in Mumbai, where daily clean-up efforts are driven by Safai Sathis, local sanitation champions supported by the programme. The collected waste is carefully segregated and processed at a Material Recovery Centre (MRC) for recycling and co-processing, significantly reducing landfill dependency.
From October 2024 to March 2025, this targeted effort has recovered 1,12,097.37 kgs of waste, a testament to the scale, efficiency, and effectiveness of the initiative.
Education Meets Action: A People-First Approach
What sets this initiative apart is its deep focus on community awareness and involvement. The collaboration doesn’t stop at cleaning beaches—it activates the local ecosystem by:
- Organising educational shore walks with school students, women from self-help groups (SHGs), sanitation workers, and local youth.
- Conducting waste segregation workshops for residents.
- Encouraging civic pride through consistent messaging and engagement.
This unique mix of action and education ensures that waste management becomes a community-owned responsibility, not just a corporate program.
George Aikara, CEO of United Way Mumbai, emphasised this vision:
“Lasting change comes from systemic solutions that address waste at every stage—from generation to disposal. Our partnership with IHCL builds on this vision, combining resources with on-ground action through a public-private partnership to ensure that responsible waste management becomes a sustained practice.”
The Paathya Vision: Circular Economy in Action
IHCL’s Paathya ESG+ framework lays out ambitious goals for 2023–2030, including achieving responsible waste management and contributing to the circular economy across all its properties and allied activities.
The partnership with United Way Mumbai aligns perfectly with this roadmap, showing how hospitality companies can become key enablers of sustainable urban development. Rather than functioning in isolation, Paathya initiatives blend industry insights, community engagement, and civic partnerships to deliver scalable impact.
Gaurav Pokhariyal, Executive Vice President – Human Resources, IHCL, articulated the philosophy behind the programme:
“Guided by our industry-leading ESG+ framework of Paathya, we are moving beyond conventional waste management to create lasting, scalable solutions that actively engage communities and drive positive environmental impact. It is through such partnerships that we can address today’s challenges and pave the way for a sustainable future.”
Strengthening Local Ecosystems Through Safai Sathis
A standout component of the programme is the inclusion of Safai Sathis—local sanitation workers—who not only clean beaches but also serve as role models and educators within their neighbourhoods. This dignified employment model ensures inclusivity, skill-building, and grassroots leadership.
The initiative is complementary to municipal efforts, helping fill gaps in daily waste collection while providing systematic waste tracking and segregation processes. The involvement of these frontline workers brings local insights and ownership into the solution-building process, making the programme more resilient and adaptive.
Why This Matters: Environmental and Social Impact
Mumbai generates more than 7,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, much of which finds its way into the Arabian Sea, damaging marine life and degrading public spaces. By targeting sensitive coastal areas like Mahim, IHCL’s initiative helps prevent waste from entering waterways, thereby protecting biodiversity and public health.
Moreover, this programme has a ripple effect. Clean beaches improve community morale, support tourism, and promote healthier living. By educating youth and community leaders, the initiative sows seeds for future sustainability advocates.
A Blueprint for the Hospitality Sector
IHCL’s approach sets a precedent for the entire hospitality sector. Waste management is often perceived as an operational backend task. However, by bringing it front and center, IHCL has shown that sustainability can be integrated into the brand narrative, employee engagement, and guest experiences.
This campaign is not an isolated CSR exercise—it’s a strategic extension of IHCL’s purpose-led brand philosophy. With a growing number of eco-conscious travellers and ESG-focused investors, initiatives like these strengthen brand loyalty and social credibility.
Toward a Cleaner, Greener India
As India scales its climate and sustainability commitments, public-private collaborations like that of IHCL and United Way Mumbai offer a practical path forward. They bridge the gap between awareness and action, combining resources with reach.
The Paathya initiative is expected to continue scaling up with more collaborations, higher community participation, and deeper environmental metrics.
This programme not only contributes to waste reduction—it redefines the value of waste as a resource, and of community as a driver of change.
Small Steps, Big Shifts
The IHCL–United Way Mumbai partnership proves that waste management doesn’t begin and end with disposal—it starts with awareness, empowerment, and inclusion. By involving people, platforms, and purpose, this initiative is helping shape a cleaner and more resilient India.
And while the sight of a cleaner beach might last a moment, the impact of a community educated and engaged in sustainability will last generations.
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