“Plastic-Free Health, Plastic-Free Planet” – Rural Health Centre Becomes Focus of Grassroots Sustainability Effort
Saphale, 03 June 2025: In a proactive move aligned with this year’s World Environment Day 2025, three women Business Correspondents (BCs) associated with Bank of Baroda led a focused clean-up and environmental awareness drive at the Prathamik Arogya Kendra in Saphale.
Harshada Patel, Ashwini Naik, and Leena Patil, all appointed BCs working under the Bank’s financial inclusion and community outreach programs, took the lead in organizing the campaign. The activity was part of a local grassroots effort linked to the United Nations Environment Programme’s theme for 2025 — “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
The initiative focused on both physical clean-up and behavioral awareness at a rural primary healthcare facility that serves hundreds of families in the area. Over the course of the day, the BCs coordinated a full-scale cleaning effort around the health centre’s compound, collecting plastic wrappers, discarded packaging, and other forms of non-biodegradable waste that had accumulated in the area.
Speaking with health staff and community members during the campaign, the BCs emphasized the public health risks associated with plastic burning and improper disposal. They shared tips on waste segregation, encouraged the use of designated plastic collection points, and explained how clean surroundings are critical for preventing infection and maintaining public hygiene — especially in health-focused spaces.
To reinforce the message, handmade awareness posters made from recycled paper were placed throughout the facility, and potted plants were gifted to the Arogya Kendra staff as both a symbol and a living reminder of the drive’s larger environmental goals. The campaign’s motto, “Plastic-Free Health, Plastic-Free Planet,” was displayed prominently throughout the event.
This initiative directly supports several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, by improving sanitary conditions around medical facilities
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, by advocating better waste disposal practices
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, by promoting plastic reduction at the source
SDG 13 – Climate Action, by tackling microplastic and emissions caused by improper disposal
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, through cooperation between the banking sector, healthcare institutions, and rural communities
This event illustrates how community-facing financial agents like BCs are playing a dual role — not only in delivering essential banking services but also as local change agents promoting sustainability. Their work in Saphale shows that climate action doesn’t always begin with big announcements — sometimes, it begins with a broom, a plant, and a purpose.
To learn more about Bank of Baroda’s national ESG and sustainability vision, visit:
