Mapusa: Solidifying its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Mondelez India has officially launched its ‘Lighthouse Project’ in Mapusa of Goa, in the presence of Dr Pramod Sawant, the Chief Minister of Goa.

This five-year initiative, in association with the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the Mapusa Municipal Council, aims to address key waste management challenges and contribute to a circular economy by redirecting over 1,000 metric tons of plastic waste.

“I am delighted to have launched the Lighthouse Project for Plastics Circularity under the CSR initiative by Mondelez India, in association with the Goa State Pollution Control Board," said Dr Pramod Sawant. “The project aims to transform waste management in Mapusa with a focus on circularity in plastic waste management.”

Samir Jain, President of Mondelez India, said, “The Lighthouse Project is built on three key pillars—behavioural shifts, infrastructure upgrades, and digital innovation. We are laying the groundwork for a scalable circular economy by enhancing waste recovery, promoting sustainability, and engaging communities.”

During the launch event, Dr Sawant unveiled ‘The Fisherman Casting Net’ - an inspiring art installation created entirely from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The unique artwork depicts the livelihood of communities born and raised by the sea. Aleixo Sequeira, Minister for Law & Judiciary of Goa and Ophira Bhatia, Vice President, Corporate and Government Affairs and AMEA CGA Lead, Mondelēz International, were also present at the event.

The installation, unveiled in association with the Goa State Pollution Control Board and the Corporation of the City of Panaji, reminds citizens to recycle and repurpose plastic waste to protect the environment and planet. It is located at Goa’s Miramar Circle and represents the project’s vision of a cleaner, greener future.

The Lighthouse Project, in collaboration with the Mapusa Municipal Council, is being carried out in partnership with Anubhuti Welfare Foundation as the implementation partner and Responsible Earth Foundation as the operations partner. The initiative focuses on bringing circularity to the plastics waste management practices such as upgrading the existing Material Recovery Facility to Smart MRF to boost recyclable recovery and digitizing waste management to enhance transparency and traceability.

Over the next five years, the initiative seeks to establish the MRF as a profitable enterprise by stabilizing operations, creating market linkages for recycled materials, and driving efficiency through digital innovation.

In addition to creating a lasting environmental impact, the project focuses on driving behavioural change through awareness campaigns and sensitization efforts, reaching over 50,000 residents, as well as formal and informal sanitation workers. Over 120 Safai Mitras working in waste management at Mapusa are being socially included through these initiatives, empowering them as key contributors to the circular waste economy.

The project also includes community-driven activities such as clean-ups and material collection drives, which are designed to engage the public in environmental conservation efforts. The project also has significant touch points with schools and colleges, aiming to build a generation of youth ambassadors committed to the cause of plastic waste circularity. Schools in the area will benefit from educational programmes.