While we transform ourselves to function in a more social and environment-friendly way, we recognise that the world’s major issues can only be mitigated through a collective approach. STL has been collaborating with its suppliers, customers and other partners to develop newer and more innovative ways of working.
Through these, we aim to deliver life-changing technologies for communities, reduce our environmental footprint through system-wide approaches, ensure our people are engaged and inspired to drive inclusive growth, stay safe and healthy as well as create sustainable business models that will drive shared value.
Aiming at Water Positivity
Resource optimization is a high priority for us. We have ensured that water, through our manufacturing operations, is utilized in an environmentally sustainable and financially beneficial way for the company. Further, we have proactively taken steps to reinforce effective utilization through our social impact programs.
We have invested in advanced technology and monitoring processes that do not just help us reduce our usage, but also recycle and reuse waste water from manufacturing. This has allowed us to substantially lessen our freshwater intake year-on-year. To ensure better utilization of this precious resource, we have incorporated a holistic water management approach which includes:
345,000+
m3 of water recycled at STL’s - manufacturing facilities
107,000+
m3 of fresh water avoided in manufacturing
Zero Liquid Discharge
certification for all Optic Fibre plants
Working on Circularity of Resources
Aligned with ‘Swaach Bharat Mission’, and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, waste management is one of the most fundamental ways we drive our sustainability agenda. The Zero Waste to Landfill journey has helped us optimise resource consumption, unlock innumerable efficiencies in operations and manufacturing, as well as transition towards a circular economy.
We have done this by repurposing products and waste, reducing scrap generation and other such initiatives. This has helped, us become the world’s first integrated optic fibre and cables manufacturer to receive Zero Waste to Landfill certification from Intertek for its manufacturing facilities in India.
Over the next few years, we aim at having all manufacturing facilities globally, Zero Waste to Landfill certified.
Our Approach
Waste Generation reduction
Waste Segregation
Reuse and Recycle
Legal Compliance
2,900+
MT by-products repurposed
97%
waste recycled , reused and co-processsed
100%
waste buyers assessed as per Zero Waste to Landfill requirements
135,000+
MT waste diverted from landfills till date
Committed to Net Zero Emissions
STL has undertaken a carbon footprint study of 100% of its operations and is working to significantly reduce its emissions in the near future.
After setting an annual reduction target of 10% to achieve its 2030 goal, STL exceeded this by more than doubling its savings reducing 23.6% specific emissions by optimising air conditioning systems across all locations, installation of VFDs in pumps, chillers and compressors, switched to LED lights for all replacements.
STL continues to rigorously monitor its carbon emissions and even reports on these.
7,500+
tCO2e avoided
S.U.R.E
packaging helped save 840 MT of plastic, 770 MT of wood and paper
2,300+
trees saved through redesigned packaging
23 MT
of polypropylene reduced through value engineering of packing spool covers
Building a Sustainable Supply Chain
The recent pandemic has amplified the need for a robust and balanced supply chain, more than ever. Over the last few years STL has been working to create a healthy mix of local and global suppliers. Locally, we prioritise partnering with suppliers in and around our operations, which helps reduce our environmental footprint while simultaneously upskilling local talent and minority communities. We not only work with them on packaging and product innovations, but also on adherence to human rights and other such aspects which are all fundamental to creating shared value and ensuring a eco-friendly and socially conscious supply chain.
At the same time, STL maintains the highest standards when it comes to sourcing its raw material, as well as adhering to stringent international requirements such as Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations for STL’s products. In addition to this, the Company is now implementing supplier assessments and audits that will ensure their adherence to ESG norms STL abides by.
STL’s products and services are best-in-quality and ecofriendly. We ensure this by conducting life cycle assessments for product families which helps us identify areas where either energy optimisation or material replacements are required to reduce the product’s eco-footprint. Till date, the Company has conducted Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for ten product families and aim to cover 100% by 2030. Further, a comprehensive Quality, Environment Health and Safety policy guides its operations to minimise accidents, spillage and reduce any negative environmental impact. STL trains professionals to deploy the networks with minimal wear and tear, replacements and down-time.
The Company’s smart city and software solutions have not only contributed to building better, greener and safer cities, but also played a critical role during the pandemic to help local governments monitor the situation in their respective states. Additionally, these offerings provide cities with high-speed data transfer, ensuring efficient information management, better traffic controlling, optimisation of energy consumption and fast emergency service management.