PepsiCo India & Smile Foundation launch 'Waste No More'

PepsiCo India has partnered with Smile Foundation to launch a special initiative on plastic waste management- 'Waste no More'. The initiative is aligned with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's call to celebrate Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas on October 2, 2021 – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. PepsiCo India is engaging with +200,000 students from + 200 schools across +50 cities in India through this initiative.

The initiative aims to bring behavioral change, educate the community and students about the importance of preserving the environment and learn more about sustainability. A special microsite wastenomore.co.in has been created to showcase innovative ideas submitted by children from participating schools. These ideas include DIY projects, recycled crafts from plastic waste, videos by children on the importance of plastic waste management, among other activities.

Santanu Mishra, co-founder and executive trustee, Smile Foundation said, "Over the last few years, we have collaborated with PepsiCo India for driving change across a wide range of subjects and we are delighted to partner with them for 'Waste No More'. Through this effort, we are sensitizing the country's young change-makers towards conservation and sustainability and hoping to create a positive impact among school students and the larger community."

Speaking about the campaign Ahmed El Sheikh, president of PepsiCo India, said, "Waste no more is a special initiative in line with our winning with purpose philosophy of keeping sustainability at the center of our business. Through the initiative, we celebrate the Hon'ble Prime Minister's call to accomplish through determination (Sankalp Se Siddhi) to make India clean and safe. We are happy to collaborate with Smile foundation in this regard."

All submitted entries will be judged by an elite jury, including the likes of reputed contemporary artist Seema Kohli, National award-winning filmmaker and screenplay writer Teenaa Kaur Pasricha, senior vice president and head - Marketing and Communications, Aon India Insurance Brokers & Sustainability influencer, Shreya Krishnan and Professor Sapna A. Narula, Dean, School of Management Studies, Nalanda University.

The initiative has so far received +2000 entries from schools across 50 cities.