Henkel India partners with GreenSole Foundation to support circular economy and education

The initiative reflects Henkel India's commitment to creating sustainable value by combining environmental responsibility with meaningful community impact 

July 2026 – Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Private Limited (Henkel India) has partnered with the GreenSole Foundation to advance sustainability and community development through a circular economy initiative. As part of the partnership, Henkel India distributed 500 upcycled school kits to students of Government Girls Model Sanskriti Primary & Senior Secondary School, Kasan, Manesar. Each kit includes a school bag and a pair of footwear made using discarded materials. 

The initiative reflects Henkel India's commitment to creating sustainable value by combining environmental responsibility with meaningful community impact. It also highlights how waste materials can be repurposed into products that support education and help promote more responsible consumption. 

Footwear waste remains a growing environmental challenge. In India, an estimated 1.7 million tonnes of footwear waste is generated every year, with much of it ending up in landfills due to the complex mix of materials used in footwear manufacturing. Globally, more than 350 million pairs of shoes are discarded annually. A typical pair of athletic shoes can take 30 to 40 years or more to decompose. 

By extending the life of discarded materials, the initiative is expected to help prevent approximately 3.25 tonnes of carbon emissions. It also aims to build awareness among students about resource conservation, responsible consumption and sustainable living. 

GreenSole Foundation is a social enterprise that works to reduce footwear waste by converting discarded shoes into useful products for underserved communities. Through this collaboration, Henkel India is supporting a solution that brings together environmental action and social impact.