Henkel champions World Environment Day with mangrove cleanup in Navi Mumbai

Aligned with this year’s theme, ‘Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration’, the initiative mobilised nearly 100 volunteers, including Henkel employees, NMMC staff, and students from various colleges, to combat plastic pollution in one of the city’s most critical and biodiverse coastal ecosystems.

“The cleanup drive reflects Henkel’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, protecting and regenerating the natural environment, and community-led action. We deeply appreciate the unwavering support of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the enthusiastic participation of all volunteers, whose collective efforts made this initiative truly impactful and inspiring. Consistent, local action like this is essential to driving meaningful, long-term change,” said S Sunil Kumar, country president, Henkel India.

The mangroves of Navi Mumbai serve as the city's natural lungs and shields. They filter pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide, and protect inland areas from storm surges and flooding. They also serve as biodiversity hotspots for migratory birds such as flamingos and kingfishers, which have become indicators of the region’s ecological health. Plastic and non-biodegradable waste has been steadily suffocating this ecosystem. Volunteers collected and segregated an estimated 5,000-kg of waste, helping protect a natural barrier against coastal erosion and climate impacts.

The drive ended with a participant-led reflection circle, with many volunteers pledging to continue supporting environmental initiatives in their communities. Henkel and NMMC aim to conduct quarterly cleanups, public awareness workshops, and guided nature walks to maintain momentum and deepen community involvement. The cleanup drive is part of Henkel’s broader environmental efforts in Navi Mumbai and builds on years of collaboration with local authorities to protect and restore vital ecological zones.