Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal responds to 'False Claims' allegations on plastic recycling project

On December 6, Zomato's CEO Deepinder Goyal addressed a social media user’s request for proof of the company’s plastic recycling project. Rajesh Sawhney, on the platform X, asked for an auditor's report to verify Zomato's claims about its environmental initiatives. Goyal responded with a detailed four-point explanation.

The Four-Point Response:

ESG Assurance: Goyal highlighted that Zomato’s International Renewable Energy Certificates (IREC) for Scope 2 emissions and carbon offset purchases for Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions have been verified by their ESG assurance providers for three consecutive years. These assurance letters are publicly available, showcasing Zomato’s commitment to transparency.

Carbon Neutral Deliveries: The CEO emphasized that Zomato’s food delivery business has been fully carbon neutral for the past three years, thanks to their IREC and offset purchases. He stated, “IREC and offset purchases equal Zomato's entire carbon footprint for its food delivery business for three years in a row, making our deliveries 100% carbon neutral.”

Plastic Recycling: Since launching plastic-neutral deliveries in the financial year 2022-23, Zomato has recycled 30,000 metric tons of plastic waste, verified by their waste management agency and recycling partner IPCA. Goyal noted that this is a voluntary initiative since restaurant partners choose their own packaging.

EV-Based Deliveries: Zomato aims for 100% EV-based deliveries by 2030. Currently, nearly one-third of deliveries in Delhi are already made using electric vehicles. Goyal acknowledged the challenges with the existing EV infrastructure and financing but assured that Zomato is working with policymakers and industry bodies to meet their goal.

The Netizen’s Request:

Rajesh Sawhney's initial post on December 5 accused Zomato of making “false claims just to sound cool.” He specifically requested an audited report to substantiate Zomato’s claim of “100% Green Deliveries.” Sawhney also urged the company to expedite the transition of its delivery fleet to electric vehicles, citing severe pollution in the NCR region.

In his defense, Goyal insisted that Zomato is committed to honesty and accountability, stating, “There’s no greenwashing. Public companies like us cannot lie. There are enough public institutions to keep us honest and accountable.”

Following Goyal's comprehensive response, Sawhney asked for a report on the plastic recycling project's impact, emphasizing the importance of transparency for shareholders and expressing a desire to see more meaningful information.