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Henkel, Rotary Recycle PoP Ganesha Idols Under Project HARMONY

2026-01-27

Henkel India, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai – Joy of Giving and with support from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), has advanced circular sustainability through Project HARMONY by recycling Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols into community learning assets. The initiative highlights an integrated approach to environmental restoration and social impact.

As part of the project, materials collected after Ganesh Visarjan 2025 at Nerul were responsibly diverted from land and water bodies and processed at an authorised recycling facility, with on-ground execution supported by NMMC officials. More than 1,000 kg of PoP waste was recycled and repurposed into 300 study tables for students at an NMMC-run school in Digha, preventing pollution while creating durable educational infrastructure.

Launched in 2024, “Henkel and Rotary: Mother Nature & You,” popularly known as Project HARMONY, is Henkel India’s flagship environmental CSR initiative. The programme brings together corporate expertise, civic authorities, sustainability partners and employee volunteers to deliver measurable environmental and community outcomes.

Commenting on the initiative, S. Sunil Kumar, Country President – Henkel India, said, “Project HARMONY reflects our commitment to translating sustainability into tangible outcomes. By converting PoP Ganesha idols into learning assets, we are addressing urban waste challenges through circular, community-led action.”

The recycling initiative was implemented in collaboration with Dr. Binish Desai, Founder – NuoTerra, through Pushpam and NuoTerra’s proprietary PoP recycling technology. Beach Please India supported the collection process through its volunteer network. The reclaimed material was transformed into learning assets through women-led, hand-crafted manufacturing under NuoTerra’s process and quality oversight, ensuring environmental responsibility while respecting cultural sensitivities.

The distribution ceremony was held on January 22, 2026, at Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Vidyalaya, Rabale, coinciding with Ganesh Jayanti. Through Project HARMONY, Henkel India and its partners continue to demonstrate how circular solutions and collaboration can support cleaner urban ecosystems and inclusive community development.

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