“Our petrol stations are visited by 3.1 million people daily. We deliver LPG cylinders worth Rs 270,000 per day and refuel 3,500 aircraft daily. “Our tank trucks travel 150,000 kilometers a day. We are everywhere,” he said at the launch event.
The IOC, which meets half of the country’s fuel needs, has already committed to a goal of net zero emissions by 2046 and is now working to recycle plastic bottles, he added.
Empty PET packaging that is discarded by consumers after use becomes PET waste. The IOC will arrange an agency to collect such bottles (20 million per year) and convert them into yarn into woven or knitted fabrics. It will be supplied to a textile company to manufacture uniforms for the IOC petrol pump attendants and LPG gas agency staff.
IOC is the first Indian company to embark directly on plastic bottle recycling.
The exterior of this uniform is made from recycled polyester obtained from the processing of used and discarded PET bottles. This initiative will support the recycling of approximately 405 tonnes of PET bottles. This equates to the elimination of more than 20 million plastic bottles annually.
Bollywood actor and environmental activist Bhoomi Pednekar lent her name to the initiative.
Vaidya said, “These eco-friendly uniforms shine as a sign of our commitment to the environment and we are delighted to see them worn by frontline energy soldiers.”
“Approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, and about 150 million tonnes of plastic circulate in marine ecosystems. At this rate, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than there are fish. The transformation from plastic bottles to textiles is a great example of how diligently addressing the problem opens the door to new opportunities,” he pointed out.
Vaidya also spoke about other environmental conservation activities of the IOC. For example, concerted efforts to save India’s single-horned rhinoceros and the reintroduction of the cheetah, which became extinct more than 70 years ago, into Indian forests.
Praising the IOC’s commitment to environmental protection, Bhumi Pednekar said, “Each of us can play an important role by embracing sustainability as a way of life. As citizens of our country, We are proud to have a leading energy company with unique environmental initiatives like these.Thanks and congratulations to Indian Oil.
An ardent advocate for climate change, Pednekar also launched the all-India campaign Climate Warriors to raise awareness of environmental conservation and inspire citizens to embrace greener lifestyle choices.
The IOC’s environmental initiative shreds used plastic bottles into flakes and melts them into micro-pellets. These micropellets are converted into yarn for weaving these green garments.
The environmental impact of this fabric goes beyond the benefits of recycling. Garment quality is comparable to virgin polyester, but requires significantly fewer resources to manufacture.
About 60% less energy is required for its production, and CO2 emissions are reduced by about a third compared to virgin polyester. Even as these garments wear out, used polycotton uniforms can be mechanically recycled and turned into low-end quilts, blankets and even high-end denim fabrics. Compliant.
