Kia India, one of the country’s leading mass-premium carmakers, has expanded its sustainability initiatives with the launch of Phase IV of Project D.R.O.P. (Develop Responsible Outlook for Plastic) across 250 facilities in the Delhi-NCR region. The initiative, aimed at promoting responsible plastic waste management and environmental awareness, was officially unveiled at the NDMC Convention Centre in Connaught Place, New Delhi.
The latest phase of the project is being implemented in collaboration with the Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), reinforcing Kia India’s long-term commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Through Project D.R.O.P, the company seeks to encourage responsible plastic disposal practices, strengthen recycling efforts, and contribute to building cleaner and more sustainable communities across the region.
Under Phase-IV, Project D.R.O.P. aims to facilitate responsible management of plastic waste across 250 facilities spanning Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad, further strengthening the initiative’s contribution towards building cleaner and more sustainable urban ecosystems.
As part of the Phase-IV rollout, Kia India and its partners unveiled specially designed D.R.O.P. Community Bins manufactured using recycled plastic waste, reaffirming the project’s emphasis on resource reuse. The event also witnessed the flag-off of the D.R.O.P. Collection Vehicle, symbolizing the operationalization of a structured and integrated plastic waste collection mechanism. This is aimed at strengthening segregation, collection, and responsible disposal practices across New Delhi.
On the commencement of the Phase IV of Project D.R.O.P, Mr. Atul Sood, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India said, “As India’s urban ecosystems continue to evolve, the need for structured and sustainable waste management systems has become more critical than ever. Through Project D.R.O.P., Kia India is committed to enabling meaningful behavioural change and supporting robust grassroots infrastructure for responsible plastic waste management. We are proud to collaborate with IPCA and NDMC in bringing this initiative to the national capital region and creating a scalable model that can inspire broader environmental transformation across the country.”
The keynote address was delivered by the Chief Guest Shri Kuljeet Singh Chahal, Vice Chairperson, NDMC, who lauded the initiative as a timely and impactful step towards addressing urban environmental challenges and strengthening sustainable waste management practices within the national capital region.
“It is a matter of immense pride for NDMC to collaborate with Kia India & IPCA for implementing Project D.R.O.P., under which dedicated plastic collection bins will be installed across the NDMC area. It will ensure systematic collection, transportation, segregation & recycling of plastic waste through authorized recycling channels,” said Shri Chahal.
“Through public awareness & encouraging responsible citizen participation, Project D.R.O.P. plays a vital role in reducing plastic waste pollution and promoting a more sustainable New Delhi. I am confident that Project D.R.O.P. will emerge as a model initiative, inspiring greater environmental responsibility and community engagement across the country,” he further added. The initiative was also appreciated by NDMC Council Members, Shri Anil Valmiki and Shri D.P. Singh.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Ajay Garg, Secretary, IPCA, underlined the urgent need for collective action in combating plastic pollution and appreciated the collaborative efforts that have enabled the expansion of Project D.R.O.P. into the national capital.
Dr. Radha Goyal, Deputy Director, IPCA, presented a comprehensive overview of the initiative, highlighting the project’s implementation framework, measurable impact at the grassroots level, and its potential to evolve into a scalable urban sustainability model for cities across India.
Kia India launched Project D.R.O.P. in 2023 across five cities, meeting its target of collecting 2,500 tonnes of plastic waste from 500 facilities. In 2024, the initiative expanded to 789 facilities and surpassed its 3,500-tonne target by collecting 4,850 tonnes. In 2025, the programme scaled to eight cities, including Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Zirakpur, cumulatively managing over 14,560 metric tonnes of plastic waste across 1,100 facilities and positively impacting over 3.6 million people. Now in its fourth phase, Project D.R.O.P. expands to 11 cities, covering 1,350 facilities, with a stepped-up collection target of 9,200 tonnes.
Kia India and IPCA are working towards scaling Project D.R.O.P. across additional cities and communities, with the New Delhi model serving as a strong blueprint for collaborative environmental action and structured plastic waste management in urban India.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in Kia India’s sustainability journey and reflects the company’s continued efforts to create meaningful environmental impact through collaborative, community-driven interventions focused on responsible plastic waste management.
