In a unique way of spreading the message of environment conservation and protection, the online trading platform, OLX.com on Friday explained how the online purchases of second hand goods reduced carbon emissions.

"Every time one sells on OLX, the life of that product gets extended ensuring more judicious use. Every time one buys on OLX, one less item gets produced, lowering carbon-di-oxide (CO2) emissions," OLX India informed marking the World Environment Day on June 5.

In an exclusive report prepared by OLX in association with Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environment Education (CEE), it was found that in the last one year, OLX India directly curbed 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

"That is equivalent to 40 per cent of Indian domestic aviation sector’s carbon footprint. It is also equal to the CO2 emissions 110 million trees save annually, and equivalent to keeping all petrol vehicles in Delhi off its roads for a whole year," the report said.

Amarjit Singh Batra, CEO, OLX India said, "The report covered OLX transactions for the financial year 2014-15. All stages in the life-cycle of a product until it reaches the user were taken into account for some of the most traded product categories on OLX. Inclusion of all product categories traded on OLX, as well as, the use and disposal life-cycle stages, would have resulted in a significantly larger CO2 equivalent."

Kartikeya V. Sarabhai, Director, CEE, “Extending the life of a product is an essential strategy towards sustainability. In India we have an old tradition of passing on goods. Transforming this tradition to the internet age and making it commercially viable is a wonderful example of leapfrogging to a sustainable lifestyle.”

Similarly, taking a step towards green future, real estate player, RE/MAX on Friday announced a Tree Plantation League (TreePL), where financial reward will be given to those planting highest trees during the next one year. Recognising the fact that real estate has encroached into the green areas of the city, the company has roped-in participants from developers, builders, owners of plotted lands to school children for tree plantation throughout the year.

The apex dairy organisation, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) too announced its year-long initiative to plant trees at milk cooperative level. "Dairy farmers have significant economic interests in promoting planting of trees and maintaining fodder resources in private and common lands. It will be in our economic interest to support all activities which increase the green cover on a sustainable basis," said NDDB chairman, T Nanda Kumar requesting all dairy the 1,60,000 village dairy cooperatives and 190 dairy cooperative unions in the country to encourage their members to plant as many trees as possible. "If each society plants just 100 trees, either in public or private land, we will be richer by 1.60 crore trees," he said.

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