GPF and Brevo Join Hands to Curb Food Waste and Promote Sustainable Food Packaging

Delhi, September 27, 2025 — In a collective effort to tackle India’s rising hunger, food waste, and packaging pollution crisis, the Green Pencil Foundation, in CSR partnership with Brevo, organized a two-day awareness and community welfare initiative on September 26–27, 2025.

The event included a webinar on “Food Waste and Sustainable Food Packaging” held at Brevo’s Noida office and a ration distribution drive that supported 120 underprivileged families living in Sector 35, Noida.

Tackling India’s Silent Hunger Crisis

India, despite being the world’s second-largest food producer, continues to face a paradox of abundance and hunger. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 194 million Indians suffer from undernourishment, while nearly 40% of all food produced is wasted every year.

The Food Waste Index Report 2024 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that India wastes nearly 68 million tonnes of food annually, valued at over ₹92,000 crore. Tragically, around 7,000 people die every day due to hunger-related causes, amounting to over 2.5 million preventable deaths per year.

Most food wastage occurs during weddings, festivals, and social gatherings, where excessive preparation leads to uneaten surplus. Urban households, restaurants, and catering services also contribute significantly to this loss.

Webinar Highlights: Food Waste and Sustainable Packaging

The awareness webinar, conducted by Ms. Himanshi Mehra and Ms. Neha, explored how responsible food consumption and eco-conscious packaging can play a transformative role in creating sustainable societies.

The speakers highlighted that plastic food packaging is a major contributor to waste generation in India, with 43% of total plastic waste coming from packaging materials, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Disposable plastics—plates, cutlery, multilayer food packets, and single-use wraps—are among the top pollutants clogging landfills and waterways.

They advocated for sustainable packaging alternatives, including biodegradable containers, cloth wraps, glass jars, and compostable paper packaging, as essential steps toward a circular economy.

Integrating Women Empowerment with Sustainability

In a unique step that combined women’s empowerment with environmental sustainability, Brevo, in partnership with Green Pencil Foundation, distributed cloth bags handcrafted by underprivileged women during the ration drive.

These cloth bags not only replace harmful polybags but also provide livelihood opportunities for women from marginalized communities. This initiative aligns with the Foundation’s broader mission to promote inclusive growth, self-reliance, and eco-friendly living at the grassroots level.

Community Action and CSR Impact

The two-day activity was coordinated by Mr. Aakash Mahato and Mr. Abhinandan Kumar, core team members of the Green Pencil Foundation, while Ms. Megha Raizada and Mr. Vivek Bisht from Brevo led the planning and execution efforts.

Mr. Sandy Khanda, Founder of Green Pencil Foundation and India Healthcare Foundation, joined the drive and emphasized:

“Food is not just a source of nutrition — it’s a moral responsibility. Every grain wasted is a meal denied to someone in need. When we combine sustainability with empathy, we can feed people and heal the planet at the same time.”

Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future

Through awareness, education, and direct community engagement, this collaboration between Brevo and Green Pencil Foundation set a meaningful precedent for how corporates and NGOs can work together to fight hunger, reduce food waste, and promote sustainable living.

The Foundation plans to extend similar campaigns across Delhi NCR and Haryana, focusing on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

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