S Chandrakant Reddy S.

Annually, the world generates over 9 billion (Bn) tonnes (t) of industrial waste¹. About a third of the waste generated globally is managed improperly, dumped, or openly burned, undermining circularity and contributing to the loss of valuable materials and resources². Mismanaged biomass and industrial waste can contribute to air and water pollution^3,7.

Nestlé is a world-leading food and beverage company with 340 factories in 77 countries, distributing its products in 188 countries^4,5. In 2023, Nestlé generated a total of 1.56 million tonnes of waste, out of which 1.55 Mn t (99%) was non-hazardous waste and 12,779 t (1%) hazardous waste^6;p13. The total waste comprised 1.03 Mn t (66%) of biomass and 534,214 t (34%) of other waste (not explicit)^6;p13. Nestlé does not mention the disposal methods for its total waste⁶. 

Nestlé generates a considerable amount of waste. It must take measures to reduce its operational waste and disclose the methods used to dispose, recuperate or recycle waste.

Surface waters are utilized in human activities both as water sources and receivers of wastewater, making them among the most important yet polluted ecosystems¹. Heavy metals adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem by inhibiting the development and...

Land conversion for agriculture and resource extraction destroys natural habitats, fragments ecosystems, and causes deforestation, thus leading to the displacement and extinction of species¹. About 5 million (Mn) ha of forests are lost yearly for ...

Globally, around 80% of wastewater is discharged without proper treatment¹. Water pollution results in algal blooms in aquatic environments, which quickly increase nutrient levels that support plant and algae growth while reducing water O₂ levels^2...

Altered land uses, loss of biodiversity, and ecosystem disruption are all adverse impacts of mining operations^1,4. Globally, mining disturbs around 591 hectares (ha) of land for every million (Mn) tonnes (t) of minerals mined (as per 2021 data)^11,...

Although access to credit boosts economic growth in the short term, the associated value of such credits fades in the medium term, increasing the "odds of a financial crisis"¹. Consumer credit in Sweden reached EUR169 billion (Bn) in 2022^2;p8, whi...

Although access to credit boosts economic growth in the short term, the associated value of such credits fades, increasing the "odds of a financial crisis"¹⁸. In Switzerland, household debt reached USD1.1 trillion(Tn) in 2022^2,3. Roughly four out ...

About 3.7 million (Mn) households with children lack internet access in the US¹. Moreover, a third of Americans with broadband find it unaffordable, especially the minority groups (Black, Non-Hispanic, and Hispanic people)². Access to Internet ser...

Although access to credit boosts economic growth in the short term, the associated value of such credits fades in the medium term, increasing the "odds of a financial crisis"¹. Consumer credit in the UK reached USD1.5 trillion (Tn) in 2023, while ...

Around 476 million (Mn) indigenous people make up 6% of the global population but 19% of the extremely poor population¹. Their communities face explicit usurp, including land grabbing and invasion^2;p6. These activities deprive them of their land a...