Punjab, 21st May 2025: Kia India, country’s prominent mass-premium car manufacturer, has commenced the third phase of its D.R.O.P. (Develop Responsible Outlook for Plastic) initiative in Chandigarh, Punjab in collaboration with
Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA). Project D.R.O.P. is Kia India’s flagship CSR initiative aimed at reshaping public perception of plastic waste while reaffirming the brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability and community-driven waste management solutions.
Leading the sustainable way to manage the plastic waste in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, the project has now scaled up to Chandigarh, Zirakpur, and Panchkula in the state of Punjab & Haryana. This initiative marks a crucial milestone in driving progress toward India's climate objectives and sustainable development.
The ceremony, graced by Chief Guest Prof. (Dr.) Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB); Guest of Honors- Shri Jasbir Singh Bunty, Sr. Deputy Mayor, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh; Shri Gulshan, Executive Director, MGSIPA, Government of Punjab; Mr. Hardeep S. Brar, Senior Vice President & National Head of Sales & Marketing at Kia India; Mr. Ajay Garg, Secretary, IPCA; Dr. Radha Goyal, Deputy Director, IPCA, along with a key representative from Mahatma Gandhi State Institute for Public Administration, Punjab, commended the initiative for its grassroots effectiveness and alignment with national environmental priorities.
Project D.R.O.P., a CSR Initiative of Kia India, aims at promoting environmental sustainability & sustainable practices on how plastic waste is perceived and managed. By promoting ownership among individuals and communities, the initiative encourages plastic segregation at source, alongside enhanced recycling and material recovery efforts.
Reaffirming the company’s sustainability vision, Mr. Hardeep S. Brar, Sr. Vice President & National Head of Sales & Marketing at Kia India added, At Kia India, we draw inspiration from nature and are committed to its protection and conservation. This belief guides us in adopting sustainable, circular approaches in all our efforts. Since its launch in 2023, Project D.R.O.P has strengthened plastic waste management through initiatives like establishing a waste recovery center in Bhondsi and a recycling unit in Noida. Beyond environmental impact, the project has generated employment opportunities for scrap dealers and processors while supporting municipal corporations in addressing the challenge of plastic waste management. It stands as a testament to how corporates can lead meaningful change beyond business and positively impact the communities they serve.
In his address, Prof. (Dr.) Adarsh Pal Vig, emphasized, “I congratulate Kia India for their commendable efforts in addressing plastic waste through their CSR initiative- DROP and showcasing a commitment to environmental sustainability. Finding sustainable solutions to complex issues like plastic waste is truly praiseworthy. I wish Kia India and Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA) a continued success in driving sustainability initiatives in Punjab, particularly in strengthening circular economy in the state. Their collaborative efforts will undoubtedly contribute to a cleaner and greener future for the region".
Mr. Ajay Garg, Secretary of IPCA, expressed his pride in the journey of Project DROP, a CSR initiative by Kia India implemented by IPCA across 8 cities. He remarked, “The vision of this project aligns with IPCA’s commitment to promoting sustainable waste management in India while encouraging communities to adopt responsible consumption habits.”
Kia India’s CSR initiative D.R.O.P, which commenced on January 1st, 2023, has directly and indirectly benefited over 2 million people till date. From the targeted 789 facilities, the initiative has successfully collected over 7200 tons of plastic waste, thereby mitigating about 9800 CO2eq Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions & reached 66% of residential welfare associations, 21% of educational institutions, and 13% of commercial complexes.
With Phase III, the initiative is expanding its operations covering Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Zirakpur, in addition to its existing presence in Gurugram, Mumbai, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, and Vizag. In 2025, this expansion will establish collection mechanism for additional 311 facilities (1,100 facilities in total), with the goal of collecting 7,000 tons of plastic waste across all 8 locations.
About Kia India
In April 2017, Kia India signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a new manufacturing facility at Anantapur District. Kia commenced mass production in August 2019 and has an installed annual production capacity of 300,000 units. In April 2021, Kia India reimagined itself in line with its new brand identity, “Movement that Inspires” aimed at offering customers meaningful experiences backed by innovative products and services. Under the new brand identity, Kia has set out to find ways to achieve new benchmarks and inspire consumers to be more and do more. Till date, Kia India has launched five vehicles for the Indian market – the Seltos, the Carnival, the Sonet, the Carens, and the EV6. Kia India has completed almost 1.6 million vehicle dispatches from its Anantapur plant, including over 1.2 million domestic sales and over 3.67 lakh exports. With more than 4.5 lakh connected cars on Indian roads, it is among the connected Car leaders in the country. The brand has a widespread network of 700 touchpoints across 300 cities and is focused on strengthening its footprints across the country.
About Project D.R.O.P:
Project D.R.O.P. (Develop Responsible Outlook for Plastic) is a CSR initiative by Kia India, implemented by IPCA. The project seeks to transform public attitudes toward plastic waste by encouraging segregation at source, promoting recycling, and raising long-term environmental consciousness. It currently operates in eight cities: Gurugram, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Zirakpur.
About IPCA:
Established in 2001, IPCA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to sustainable waste management across India. With a strong emphasis on community engagement, capacity building, and policy advocacy, IPCA continues to deliver innovative solutions to address India’s environmental challenges.
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