Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, announced that its flagship Waste Hero education programme generated US$3.45 in social, environmental, and economic value for every US$1 invested across the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The result marks an important milestone for the global programme, providing independent evidence that education can drive measurable and lasting impact.
Developed in collaboration with Yunus Thailand Foundation in 2023, Waste Hero promotes recycling, zero-waste practices, and circular economy principles through practical, hands-on learning experiences. Since its launch, the programme has expanded through partnerships with educators, schools, non-governmental organisations, and community groups across more than 150 countries worldwide. What began as an educational initiative has evolved into a growing global movement that empowers individuals and communities to advocate for more responsible resource use within homes, schools, and communities.
Since the programme began, it has reached 1.2 million people, including educators, students, and community members, through workshops, digital learning platforms, school partnerships, and community engagement initiatives. Educators integrated sustainability concepts into their teaching, students adopted more environmentally responsible habits, and local partners helped reinforce circular economy practices beyond the classroom.
The findings were confirmed through a Social Return on Investment (SROI) assessment conducted in partnership with Environmental Resources Management (ERM), a leading global sustainability consultancy that independently supported the validation and evaluation process. The assessment measured outcomes associated with increased awareness, behavioural change, and community engagement.
Mrs. Suchitra Lohia, Deputy Group CEO and Chairperson of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee at Indorama Ventures, said: "As one of our flagship global CSR programmes, Waste Hero reflects our commitment to empowering people through education and creating positive change at the grassroots level. The 3.45-to-1 return from the SROI assessment demonstrates that these investments are creating meaningful and measurable value for society, while helping people become part of the solution to environmental challenges. For us, the true success of Waste Hero is not simply the number of people reached, but the lasting behavioural changes that continue long after the learning experience ends."
The latest study builds on a series of independently validated SROI assessments across Indorama Ventures' CSR initiatives worldwide. While results vary depending on local contexts and implementation models, the assessments consistently demonstrate that the company's investments are generating measurable benefits for people, communities, and the environment. Equally important, they help strengthen accountability, inform future programme development, and ensure resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.
The assessment found that the Waste Hero programme in Indonesia and the Philippines generated a social return of 4.49 times for every US$1 invested in 2023. The 2025 assessment focused on programme implementation in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The United States accounted for more than 75% of total engagement through national education partnerships and digital learning initiatives, while Mexico and Brazil represented nearly 25% through collaborations with schools, community organisations, and local partners.
Ms. Hannah Martinez, Head of Sustainability Advocacy Americas at Indorama Ventures, said: "Education remains one of the most powerful tools for creating positive change, and the need to build awareness never stops. Through our partnerships with national education networks in the United States, together with local partners in Mexico and Brazil, we have been able to reach diverse learning communities and demonstrate how collaboration can accelerate positive environmental and social outcomes. When students share what they learn with their families, teachers integrate sustainability into their classrooms, and communities embrace circular practices, the impact extends far beyond the original programme."
The SROI assessment provides valuable insights to further strengthen and expand the programme globally while reinforcing Indorama Ventures' commitment to measuring and understanding the impact of its investments. By continually evaluating outcomes and learning from communities, educators, and partners, the company seeks to ensure its programmes create lasting value and meaningful change where it matters most