Sri Lanka's leading Ayurvedic company, Hettigoda Industries (Pvt) Ltd., was celebrated at the 2024 Presidential Environment Awards, securing the Gold Award in the Pharmaceutical Products and Personal Care Product Industry category.
The prestigious ceremony, held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall last Friday, was graced by the presence of His Excellency Ranil Wickremasinghe, President of Sri Lanka.
Lankani Hettigoda, Director of Research & Development at Hettigoda Industries, received the accolade from President Wickremasinghe. This recognition stands as a powerful testament to the company's unwavering commitment to integrating environmental sustainability into every
facet of its operations.
"We are incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award," said Lankani Hettigoda, “Environmental responsibility is not just a value we hold, it's a core principle that drives our innovations to protect our planet for future generations."
Siddhalepa has been consistently recognized for its sustainable practices.
The company has been honored with multiple Presidential Environmental Awards and National Green Awards over the years, receiving Presidential Environment Awards in 2021-2022 (Silver), 2019 (Silver) and 2018 (Bronze) and National Green Awards in 2016 (Merit) and 2015 (Bronze).
With a 90-year heritage, Siddhalepa demonstrates a deep commitment to environmental responsibility beyond its dedication to traditional medicine. Established in 1934, the company has implemented a multifaceted strategy to reduce its environmental impact while giving back to the community.
A cornerstone of Hettigoda Industries’ environmental initiative is responsible waste management. Since 1978, the company has been forefront of this effort, becoming one of the first companies in Sri Lanka to distribute waste management bins in public places and religious places
This initiative has seen the distribution of over 35,000 bins in recent years.
In response to the growing plastic pollution crisis, Hettigoda Industries has also introduced a sustainable alternative by distributing over 500,000 eco-friendly bags, promoting reusable options over traditional plastic bags.
Under the “Breathing Life into Future” initiative, the ‘Siddhalepa Herbal Garden Project collaborates with over 200 schools island-wide, to promote a deeper connection to nature and cultivate future leaders who are environmentally responsible. To date over 50,000 plants havebeen donated to schools.
Beyond these key initiatives, Hettigoda Industries is engaged in numerous other CSR projects that benefit the Sri Lankan community. Furthermore, Hettigoda Industries has undertaken significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint, recognizing the growing impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2022 they conducted an organizational greenhouse gas inventory, which not only identified their total emissions but also informed their reduction plan.
A key strategy involves harnessing renewable energy through the installation of solar panels, thereby reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
An environmental policy adopted by the factory underscores sustainable development of the organization. Various strategies have been implemented, such as practicing the 5R principle, standard waste segregation practices, adoption of energy and water saving mechanisms,
establishment of solar panels, use of bio-degradable packing materials, an environmentally friendly biomass boilers, composting of waste raw materials and reusing of gross cartons and empty cans.
Additionally paper usage has been minimized by printing instructions inside the box instead of using separate leaflet and utilizing excess printing board space to print another primary carton.
These strategies were highly influential for the establishment of sustainable development within the organization.
Hettigoda Industries has also adopted innovative practices to minimize waste generation. Notably, leftover seed material from their Asamodagam product, is now transformed into briquettes, resulting in a 25% reduction in firewood consumption for their biomass boiler.
These efforts demonstrate the company’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impact.
The Presidential Environment Awards, organized annually by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) under the guidance of the Ministry of Environment, celebrate outstanding contributions from organizations championing sustainable development through environmental protection.
This well-deserved recognition for Hettigoda Industries reinforces their position as a front- runner in the field of sustainable Ayurveda practices.
The company's commitment to environmental stewardship serves as an inspiration for others in the industry and paves the way for a greener future for all.