- Sustainability
- Recycle Program
- CSR
- ROHS
Sustainability At Whirlpool
Sustainability is embedded in Whirlpool of India’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy. The policy states that the company, while fulfilling its social obligations, will also do the following:
Deliver high performance and aesthetically designed products while reducing the company’s environmental footprint. Continuously work towards bringing resource-friendly appliances to the market that are more efficient than their predecessors.
Abide by current and future legislations on use of ozone depleting, global warming and hazardous substances.
Implement processes at our facilities that will eliminate waste and drive operating efficiencies.
Several initiatives have been taken on the above.
Energy
Whirlpool was among the first brands to embrace the energy labeling programme when it was first implemented in 2006 for Refrigerators and Air Conditioners, declaring energy rating for all its products in these categories well before it became mandatory. Products have been reengineered every time there has been an upward revision of energy ratings to maintain a high percentage of products in the higher efficiency band. As a result, all our refrigerators and 90% of our air conditioners are 3* and above.
Energy efficiency in our plants has been an area of continuous focus since our foray into India. All three plants implement energy savings projects every year to reduce consumption of electricity. Despite factory output growing year after year, and augmentation of machinery that draws power, net usage of power per product has come down by 15% in the last 20 years. Some recent actions that have been taken in our factories are:
- Installation of a 100 kVA solar energy plant in one of our factories and solar water heater in another.
- Use of energy efficient screw compressors, vacuum pumps and very efficient Turbomiser Chillers.
- Replacement of fluorescent tube lights & HPSV lamps with LED lights.
- Installation of control systems or modification of existing equipment for smarter energy consumption.
Water
This is another area of continuous focus since inception of the company. Initiatives taken in our manufacturing has led to reduction of water consumption by more than 70%. These include recirculation and reuse of water, utilisation of waste water from Reverse Osmosis purification units for hand and crockery washing, rainwater storage, and using low flow water taps in cafeteria and toilets. Water from Effluent Treatment Plant is used as an input to generate fresh water through Reverse Osmosis purifiers.
The use of new technologies in our washing machines, such as Eco Spray in 3600 Bloomwash series, has reduced water consumption by 15%.
Air
Whirlpool has phased out Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in both refrigerator plants in India and has converted to Cyclopentane, a substance that is not only zero ODS but which has negligible Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Further, we have switched the refrigerant used in our refrigerators from R134a, a hydro fluorocarbon that has a GWP of 1300, to R600a, a hydrocarbon with zero ODS and GWP of 8. At present, 90% of production of refrigerators in India is with R600a.
All our refrigerator products are hence truly ‘green’ and environment friendly.
World class safety standards have been installed in both facilities, certified by TUV India, a leading Inspection, Certification and Testing organisation.
MATERIALS
Whirlpool is compliant with regulations governing use of hazardous substances. Our refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners do not contain hazardous substances. We are close to phasing out hazardous substances in other categories, even before they are mandated.
Whirlpool of India is working with its parent on conforming to requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act). The Act’s intent is to try and curb violence and exploitation in Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbouring countries by ceasing sourcing of four minerals – Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum and Gold – from this region. India has participated in the identification process of suppliers who source these minerals from DRC and will collaborate with the Whirlpool Corporation on all subsequent steps to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
It is Whirlpool’s intention to eliminate diversion of waste to landfill. As part of this goal, compost units have been installed for converting waste food to manure at one of our plants, reducing waste to landfill by 10 tons.
With regard to electronic waste, we have recycled a total of 687,825 kilograms of electronic waste in the financial year 2013-14. The company has also set up a take-back programme for consumers wishing to hand over end-of-life products for safe disposal.
PLANT CERTIFICATIONS
Finally, products that we manufacture in our three production facilities are made with a high focus on quality and safety, while ensuring that our plants comply with all environmental laws.
- All our Plants are Quality Management System ISO 9001 certified.
- Faridabad Plant is Environment Management system ISO 14001 and Occupational Health and Safety Management system OSHAS 18001 certified.
- Pondicherry plant is ISO 14001 certified.
Recycle Program
Recycling is an important way for individuals and businesses to reduce the waste they generate and de-risk the negative impact that irresponsible disposal may cause. Recycling also conserves natural resources. Reducing, reusing, recycling and buying recycled products benefits our natural world and our economy. Whirlpool, through its strict manufacturing process, ensures that 85 to 90 percent of the materials (steel and other metals, some plastics) used in Whirlpool products can be recycled.
We all have a responsibility to ensure that the electronic appliances are properly disposed off at the end of their lives.
Please return your Whirlpool branded products for recycling when they reach the end of their useful life.
ENVIRONMENT
“At Whirlpool Corporation, we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. Just as we have taken a global approach to our home appliance business, we believe our world’s environmental issues, such as climate change, must be addressed in a similarly comprehensive way. This is why we continue to develop innovative products that minimize their impact on the environment while making our consumers’ lives easier.”
Whirlpool Corporation is an industry leader in developing high-performance home appliances that help conserve the earth’s resources and allow homeowners to use resources more efficiently. We continually strive to understand and manage the environmental effects of our business, not only by creating new and innovative products that consume less energy and water, but also by improving our processes and using materials that minimize the impact on the planet.
This commitment, which began with a focus on Whirlpool manufacturing operations, today extends to the environmental impact of our products both during its lifecycle and even at the end-of-life management. We are sensitive to the needs of our environment and understand the need for adapting today and creating ways to secure a greener and happier life tomorrow.
END-OF-LIFE PRODUCT MANAGEMENT IN INDIA
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has promulgated the E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011(“the Rules”), which became effective from 01 May 2012. The rules impose obligations on both producers and users on a wide range of products, including home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and air-conditioners, when they reach the end of their lives. A product is said to reach “end of life” when the same cannot be used for the purpose it was originally designed, is beyond repair, and needs to be discarded and disposed.
WHAT IS E-WASTE?
E-Waste as defined in the Rules is waste electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part or rejects from their manufacturing and repair process, which are intended to be discarded. Electric and electronic equipment means equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electro-magnetic fields to be fully functional.
E-Waste may comprise of both re-usable and non-reusable components, substances, elements etc. which can either be gainfully reused or if left unattended, end up being detrimental to the environment and life on Earth. E-Waste is usually marked with presence of toxic material, hazardous constituents etc. like lead, oil, gases etc. and if not treated correctly, may get released into the environment with ill consequences. On the contrary, retrieval of re-usable constituents can help to conservation resources.
ROLE OF PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS
Producers are obliged to ensure safe recycling and disposal of products and their components at the end of their life, as inappropriate handling of waste may pose risks to health and environment. Consumers on their part are expected to ensure that E-Waste generated by them is (a) channelized to an authorized collection centre or to a registered dismantler or recycler, or (b) is returned to the pick-up or take-back services provided by the producer. E-Waste generated by consumers not only includes the complete product when it has reached end-of-life but components and parts that may be replaced in the course of its life, e.g. a compressor in a refrigerator or a motor in washing machine.
It is our advice that consumers owning Whirlpool products follow the guidelines above and contact Whirlpool when they are ready to discard a part or the product itself as Whirlpool will ensure that these are channelized for safe disposal in compliance with the E-waste Rules. The consumers can call at Whirlpool Call Centre 1800-208-1800(Toll-Free) for their assistance on E-waste management. Whirlpool have empaneled PROs namely Attero Recycling Pvt Ltd, Pegasus Sustainability Pvt Ltd, RLG Systems India Private Ltd, Cerebra Integrated Technologies Limited, Aggarwal E-Waste Solutions Pvt Ltd for collection and channelization of E-Waste generated from end-of-life of Products. Indeed, Green Sense – a take-back program initiated by Whirlpool – is to help consumers recycle Whirlpool branded appliances sold in India.
ABOUT GREEN SENSE
As part of the take back and recycling initiative, Whirlpool India has partnered with an authorized e waste recycler for channelizing E-Waste collected from all over India. This program is a solution for consumers to dispose their Whirlpool appliances when they reach their end-of-life.
FAQs
Green Sense program is a take- back and recycling initiative by Whirlpool India. As part of this initiative, consumers can contact Whirlpool to dispose of their Whirlpool branded products which have reached end of their useful life.
Currently the initiative covers e-waste related to air-conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators only.
Our Green Sense program provides a convenient way to the Whirlpool consumer to dispose off their Whirlpool appliances when they reach their end-of-life. The consumer can call Whirlpool Service Centre at 1800-208-1800 (Toll-Free) or SMS ‘WPL’ to 58558 and know the nearest collection centre where they can drop off the appliance.
Consumers do not have to pay for participating in the Green sense program for Whirlpool branded products.
There is no discount scheme/ monetary benefit linked to the program. By participating in this program, you are helping the environment for a cleaner and better tomorrow.
CSR Policy
For generations, Whirlpool Corporation has been bringing people transformative home solutions so they can focus on what really matters – their lives, their families and their communities. Today, Whirlpool not only stands for brand and product leadership, but through our relationships with several high-impact nonprofit organizations, it also exemplifies a company that makes a positive difference in communities where Whirlpool operates.
In India, Whirlpool’s aim is to satisfy our customers, protect the environment, nurture our communities and embed sustainability into our products and processes while driving superior value for our stakeholders.
Sustainability is embedded in Whirlpool of India’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy. The policy states that the company, while fulfilling its social obligations, will also do the following:
To Pursue These Objectives, Whirlpool Of
India’s CSR Policy Is Outlined Below:
- Promote employment enhancing vocational skills for employability of youth.
- Cultivate community development plans in the vicinity of our factories based on needs and priorities of the host communities.
- Any other project or aid which the committee considers suitable for the welfare of society or humanity at large, within
- the purview of Schedule VII (Section 135) or as authorized by Government.
WE WILL DO THE ABOVE WHILE CONTINUING TO:
- Deliver high performance and aesthetically designed products while reducing our environmental footprint. Continuously work towards bringing resource-friendly appliances to the market that are more efficient than their predecessors
- Truthfully declare energy and water consumption, where applicable
- Abide by current and future legislations on use of ozone depleting, global warming and hazardous substances
- Implement processes at our facilities that will eliminate waste and drive operating efficiencies
- Reduce impact to the environment by responsibly handling end-of-life products
EXECUTION
- Whirlpool of India will execute their community programmes through reputed NGOs
- Vocational skills will be aligned with curriculum and partners approved by National Skill Development Council
- Whirlpool employees will be encouraged to participate in approved CSR initiatives wherever feasible.
GOVERNANCE
- A CSR team overseeing execution will submit a progress report to the Board of Directors periodically
- Whirlpool will publicly report its CSR initiatives through its company website and report it in the Annual Report.
CSR Report
Company’s CSR policy has been drafted to ensure betterment of society, while keeping the humane touch intact.
This reflects in the policy as mentioned below:
Whirlpool is delighted to present it’s sustained effort in the domain of CSR in third successful year, We have steadied & strengthened all our projects in current year while continuously monitoring the outcome and effect on target groups. We are honing our capabilities to steer these projects on a path of “Demand based Interventions” to make it more relevant, in coming years.
We are sure achieving these great goals will be amazing; Journey is no less satisfying too!
Skill Development Program
In the third year of it’s implementation, our flagship CSR program on “Skill Development” has reached some more milestones. We imparted vocational training to more than 3,800 youths across India through training partners recognized by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Training imparted was in two domains; viz. “Field Service Engineer” and “Retail Sales Associate” following the methodology defined by NSDC and concerned Sector Skill Councils. Employment of successful candidates remains a key area of our focus and placement was obtained for approximately 65% of candidates by developing dependable channels of employment.
In financial year 2017-18, based on our learning of the past years the Company proposed to adopt a focus approach for these program to make it more viable for the concerned stakeholders by enhancing training modules as per changing technology & trend.
Community Development Program
Community development programs are being implemented in villages adjoining our manufacturing facilities at Pune, Faridabad and Puducherry. The programs are designed to address the most common issues of the community which can be handled by way of behavioral changes and on the basis of minimal outside support by social organization involved.
Over the last three years, Whirlpool has been working on a project called Learning Enhancement Programme (LEP) to support the communities in the vicinity of our Faridabad manufacturing unit in association with Pratham Education Foundation as the implementation partner. LEP focusses on improving the learning levels of the children of the community quickly along with inculcating an environment conducive for learning, using different activity based teaching methodologies, interactive material, and exposure to technology. The programme, run by an all-female on-ground team hired locally, covers approximately 4500 children in total from 3 communities, with tremendous results.
Our “Integrated Child Development Program” implemented in Pune, through “Community Aid & Sponsorship Programme (CASP)”, a Pune based organization committed to sustainable development and strengthening of child, family and community, is successfully completing it’s third year. Through our 300 supported Students, we have been able to bring in subtle behavioral changes in the local community, making them sensitive towards social issues like Health, Hygiene, Education & Nutrition etc. As this program is reaching it projected tenure of three year, basis an Impact survey, a decision will be taken whether to repeat the program or replace it with another program.
Whirlpool, through “FXB India Suraksha”, an organization with expertise in integrated community development models and recognizable regional presence, is working for the social development of villages around Puducherry factory. This program, in it’s second year of implementation has reached two villages viz. Sanyasikuppam & Kothapurinatham supporting a community of more than 2000 people through it’s various program on Healthcare, Elderly care, Women empowerment & Education. We are ensuring involvement of local community in administration of all the programs to create a self sustainable model for future.
Whirlpool’s “Basic Learning through Library Intervention Programme” with “Pratham Education Foundation” a well recognized name in pre-school education to under-privileged children, is in second year of implementation. In this time frame we have expanded our presence to AC Nagar & Ram Nagar colonies in Faridabad, operating six “Library cum Learning Centre”. This program has helped in improved learning of almost 2200 children in the age group of 6-14 yrs till date, while helping almost 150 out of school children getting admission in regular schools. While migratory populations in these colonies do pose a challenge for this program, our diligence has helped us support more children than our projected numbers. We plan to add more localities into this program in coming year.
Impact assessment
- 2023-2024
- 2022-2023
- 2021-2022