Jharsuguda, Odisha; 14th November, 2024, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, organized a community-focused training session on “Zero Menstrual Waste” to promote eco-friendly menstrual waste management practices and sustainable hygiene solutions. Conducted by Ms. Malini Parmar, co-founder of Stonesoup, a social enterprise dedicated to waste management and environmental responsibility, the session saw participation from employees and the local community, including women from the Subhalaxmi Cooperative, Vedanta’s flagship women empowerment initiative.
The session highlighted the critical importance of menstrual waste management and practical ways to achieving it sustainably. Participants learned about the environmental hazards posed by non-biodegradable sanitary waste, which contributes significantly to pollution and landfill issues. Sustainable alternatives such as menstrual cups, cloth pads, and biodegradable sanitary napkins were introduced as effective solutions that can substantially reduce waste generation while promoting healthier, eco-conscious lifestyles. Additionally, insights into waste segregation and composting provided attendees with actionable steps to implement eco-friendly waste management practices in their daily lives, fostering a greater sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we are committed to empowering communities with knowledge and tools to empower local communities. Through initiatives like menstrual waste management, we aim to build sustainable practices that contribute to a healthier and more environmentally conscious society.”
Ms. Pankajini Oram, President of the Subhalaxmi Cooperative, shared her thoughts on the training, stating, “This session has been enlightening for us. Learning about sustainable menstrual hygiene practices and eco-friendly products has given us the confidence to make choices that benefit our health, community, as well as the environment.”
Vedanta’s social interventions in the domains of education, healthcare, livelihood, skill development, grassroots sports, art & culture, with a focus on women and child development, reach out to nearly 80 villages in Jharsuguda and nearby areas, benefiting over 3 lakh people in a year. It empowers almost5,000 women from over 350 SHGs, provides doorstep healthcare services to about 50,000 people annually, gives educational support to more than 13,000 students, has planted almost 1.50 lakh trees in partnership with locals at the community level.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
