This year, Plastics for Change was recognized as a finalist for the SEED Awards in Delhi, India. The SEED Awards were established by the UNEP and UNDP to promote progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through eco-inclusive entrepreneurship.
In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Goals , otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The private sector now has a unique opportunity to embrace this new global development agenda and recognise it as a driver of business strategies, innovation and investment decisions.
Participating companies are now able to leverage collaborations and technology to create an impact at a scale that has never before been possible and in turn, utilize the SDG model to gain an edge over their competitors the global marketplace.
An inspiring example of progress towards the SDGs is the mobile platform M-Pesa, which is now providing a variety of financial inclusion services to more than 25 million people in Africa, Asia and Europe.
Although hundreds of millions of people have emerged from poverty into the global middle-class during the last decade, there is still much process to be made.
An estimated 4.5 billion people in the world are at “the bottom of the pyramid” (those who live on $5 per day or less). Businesses should view these people as producers and consumers of products, rather than as mere beneficiaries of charity. They represent a projected $15 trillion economy, which is poised to expand.
According to Unilever’s CEO, Paul Polman, the SDGs offer the “greatest economic opportunity of a lifetime” as a global initiative.
India has the largest number of poor people in the world. Poverty and social exclusion has its roots in historical divisions along lines of caste, tribe, and gender. These culturally rooted systems are perpetuating the inequality.
To address these social issues, the Indian Government has mandated that large organisations to contribute at least 2% of their annual net profit towards corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The following diagram illustrates how Plastics for Change contributes towards the sustainable development goals. We work with brands to immediately improve the social and environmental impact of their products, while increasing the value of their goods to today’s conscious consumers. To inquire about using this ethically sourced plastic please Click here.
