22 May 26, Mumbai: HDB Financial Services (HDBFS), in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), has published a new film highlighting the impact of its ‘Trash Shield’ – an initiative to intercept plastic waste from entering into seas and oceans.
The film captures on-ground interventions across multiple cities, demonstrating how strategically installed trash barriers are helping prevent floating plastic waste and debris before it enters larger river systems and marine ecosystems. By combining infrastructure solutions with community-led waste management practices, the initiative is addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing urban India.
Implemented across cities including Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Pune and Chennai, the Trash Shield initiative focuses on preventing waste leakage at source. The barriers, designed to be modular, cost-effective, and locally adaptable, are installed across canals and drainage channels to capture floating waste. The collected material is periodically removed, segregated, and directed to authorized Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for recycling or safe disposal in coordination with local authorities.
To watch the film click here: https://youtu.be/Ym8dtnuQ02U?si=-WUFlX-391lgzpVZ
Since the project rollout, the initiative has demonstrated measurable environmental outcomes. It has enabled the collection tonnes of waste until date, and is contributing in reviving the natural biodiversity in the region. Additionally, by preventing blockages in drainage systems, it supports improved urban water flow and reduces flood risks in vulnerable areas.
Commenting on the initiative, Ashish Ghatnekar, Chief – People & Operations from HDB Financial Services said, “Trash Shield for us goes beyond environmental protection, it is about building systems that enable communities to participate in preserving shared resources. Through this initiative, HDB Financial Services is contributing to cleaner waterways while encouraging responsible waste practices at the community level. Collaborating with CEE allows us to combine infrastructure solutions with awareness and behaviour change, creating lasting impact for urban ecosystems.”
The film offers a comprehensive view of how the initiative integrates environmental innovation with community awareness, reinforcing the role of partnerships in building cleaner and more resilient cities
About HDBFS:
HDB Financial Services Limited (HDBFS) is a non-deposit taking non-banking finance company (‘NBFC’) offering wide range of loan products to individuals, emerging businesses and micro enterprises. Established in 2007, as a subsidiary of HDFC Bank Limited, HDBFS is categorized as an upper layer NBFC by the RBI. HDBFS offers a large portfolio of lending products that cater to a growing and diverse customer base through a wide omni-channel distribution network. Its lending products are offered through the three business verticals: Enterprise Lending, Asset Finance and Consumer Finance. As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s distribution network spans 1,730 branches across 1,161 cities/ towns. For more information please log on to: www.hdbfs.com
