Sterlite Tech has won Intertek’s (US) zero waste to landfill certification for its optical fibre cable manufacturing plant in Rakholi, Silvassa. This manufacturing facility diverts more than 99 per cent waste away from landfill, thereby making it India’s first optical fibre cable plant to receive this third-party global certification.

According to Akanksha Sharma, Head, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) “We are committed to sustainable manufacturing and reducing environmental impact. Becoming India’s first large-scale telecommunications equipment manufacturing facility to receive Intertek’s Zero Waste to Landfill certification is a recognition of our consistent efforts in being responsible to the community and the environment.”

Elaborating on the benefits of the programme, Akanksha said, “While mitigating the toughest challenges of our time – climate change and deteriorating ecosystem to human health risks – our Zero Waste to Landfill initiative reiterates the trust that our customers and partners have on us in India and world-wide. Our recycle and reuse initiatives have also helped us improve our manufacturing efficiency, bringing significant resource savings.”

Earlier, Sterlite Tech’s glass and optical fibre manufacturing plant at Aurangabad and its Specialty Cable manufacturing plant at Dadra, India were granted Near Zero Waste to Landfill Intertek certifications for diverting more than 95 per cent waste away from landfill.

With eight manufacturing facilities across India, Italy, China and Brazil, Sterlite Tech is continuously taking conscious steps to validate its waste management practices for globally recognised and standardised norms, while identifying opportunities for further improvements.

Given the company’s commitment to sustainability and as a signatory to UN Global Compact, Apex India Foundation, supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India also recently honoured Sterlite Tech with Gold Category Occupational Health and Safety Excellence Award.