Here are some of India's leading 'green' companies

It's easy to feel vulnerable and frustrated when one hears news stories and articles highlighting the hazards of global warming, environmental pollution and other ill-effects of environment abuse.

But, increasingly companies are doing their bit to support the 'Go Green' campaign.

Although most companies fall under categories that have more to do with reducing emissions or saving power, there are brands that have nothing to do with power and energy, who are working towards developing a greener environment.

These companies give us products like television sets, computers, clothing, cosmetics, and so on . . . products that we use on a daily basis.

Here is a list of such companies who are doing their bit to save their environment:

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LG India

South Korean consumer durables major LG Electronics recently introduced LG LED E60 and E90 series monitors in the Indian market.

The LED E60 and E90 series monitors are packed with the eco-friendly features such as 40 per cent less energy consumption than the traditional LCD monitors.

Also, the use of hazardous materials such as halogen or mercury is kept to minimal in this range.

Globally, LG launched a range of eco-friendly products 'Eco-Chic' such as the platinum coated two-door refrigerator and washing machine with steam technology.

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HCL

Last year, HCL launched its range of eco-friendly notebooks, HCL ME 40. HCL claims that this was India's first PVC free and eco-friendly notebook.

This notebook is completely free from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material and other harmful chemicals.

Further, Bureau of Energy Efficiency has given HCL eco-friendly products a five-star rating, and they also meet REACH (REACH is the European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use) standards and are 100 per cent recyclable and toxin free.

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Haier

Haier India launches the green initiative with its 'Eco-Life' series, as a part of its global rebranding exercise.

This is aimed at designing smart products which not only meet customer needs, but also adhere to environmental norms.

The company's eco-friendly offerings include refrigerators, semi and fully automatic washing machines, split and windows air conditioners, a wide range of LED & LCD TVs and the Spa range of water heaters.

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Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics, a leading brand in display products, is continuing to evolve LED monitor technology by offering environmentally friendly monitors with its range of 50 and 30 series LED monitors.

Samsung products have eco-friendly LED backlight, which contain few or no environmentally hazardous substances, such as mercury or lead. Additionally, it uses about 40 per cent less energy.

Also, Samsung's Touch of Color (ToC) technology doesn't use paints, sprays or glues, ensuring they contain no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), making recycling simpler and safer.

Its other eco feature allows users to adjust a monitor's brightness based on different energy consumption levels with four preset energy-saving options to choose from.

Samsung has also launched its advanced range of Split ACs, which claim to save up to 60 per cent energy.

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Voltas

Air-conditioners, refrigerators and plasma or LCD TVs are going green with a vengeance. Next in the line is, Voltas from the Tata Group.

In 2007, Voltas initiated the 'Green' range of air-conditioners, following which the government made it mandatory for home appliances to have energy star ratings.

Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products that originated in the US.

Thus, devices carrying the star logo, such as computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances and other products, use about 20-30 per cent less energy than the set standards.

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Panasonic India

Panasonic has an Econavi range of air conditioners and LCD screens which is once again based on energy conservation.

Econavi home appliances use sensor and control technologies to minimise energy consumption, based on a family's lifestyle.

For instance, a door-opening sensor and lighting sensor allows the refrigerator to learn the time periods when the family typically doesn't use - when they're sleeping or away from home. The refrigerator goes into sleep mode accordingly.

Globally, Panasonic is aiming to become top green innovation company in the electronics industry by 2018 and is laying a lot of emphasis on eco-friendly products.

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Nokia

Nokia has always takes steps to develop eco-friendly initiatives. It has also won the Greenpeace Award. The Finnish mobile company scored won this award mainly because of its back take-back program in India.

It is also known for launching models free of PVC, brominated flame retardants and antimony trioxide.

Now, it has launched a Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit (DC-14) in India. The bicycle charger kit works at walking speed (6 km/h) and when the speed reaches 50 km/h it stops charging.

The charger is compatible with Nokia phones that have a 2mm charging interface, which includes most mid-range Nokia phones.

The Nokia bicycle charger has an ergonomic design to make installation easier to suit different types of bicycles. The phone holder also has a rubberised design to hold the phone securely and protect it from shocks and vibrations.

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Wipro

The other company to launch wide range of eco-friendly desktops is Wipro. Introduced under the Wipro Green Ware initiative, these products aim to cut down e-waste in environment.

Here, the systems launched are toxin free and operate under a total recycling policy. With the removal of the toxins, recycling of the electronic products would be safer, say company executives.

Wipro has 17 e-waste collection centres in India where products are collected and recycled. Also, 12 Wipro campuses in the country have been certified as green buildings.

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MRF Tyres

Next in the line to join the eco-friendly product wagon is the Indian tyre manufacturer MRF with its ZSLK series.

The premium eco-friendly tubeless tyres MRF ZSLK are made from unique silica-based rubber compounds and promises to offer fuel efficiency for vehicle owners.

The tyres had been tested extensively on Indian road conditions with emphasis on endurance, wet and dry braking, the company said in a statement.

At present, the ZSLK series are available for models including Honda City/Civic, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Santro, Maruti SX4, Wagon R, Skoda Octavia, Tata Indica, Nissan Micra.

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ACC Ltd

India-based cement manufacturer ACC has recently launched its eco-friendly brand, 'Concrete+'.

This brand uses fly ash (a hazardous industrial waste) to help conserve natural resources, thus making it an eco-friendly product.

The new product has been designed exclusively to ensure high durability and resistance of structures under extreme climate.

Jayanta DattaGupta, chief commercial officer of ACC Ltd, said that the new product is a result of continuous feedback from customers, influencers and dealers.

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Fevicol

Fevicol, a leading brand of adhesive in India, has introduced environment friendly synthetic resin adhesive. Claiming to be India's first eco-friendly adhesive, Fevicol AC Duct King Eco Fresh, boasts of being an all-in-one adhesive.

The company says that this water-based adhesive has exceptional bonding strength and spreads smoothly at room temperature without emitting any toxic fumes. It is an ideal adhesive for AC Duct insulation for all residential and industrial projects.

Speaking on the launch, Vishal Malhan, chief - marketing, Fevicol Division at Pidilite Industries said, "We, at Fevicol, were always concerned and worked towards developing and offering adhesives that contributed immensely to the betterment of health, safety and environment. As market leaders, it becomes our responsibility to take lead in caring and conserving our planet by using strong and secure adhesives."

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Grassroot

Eco-friendly line of clothing is fast growing fashion trend. Though it had a slow take off, it now has many takers. Anita Dongre has now joined the line of eco-fashion with her brand, Grassroot.

"My eco-friendly brand Grassroot is a 100 per cent environment-friendly brand. We use certified eco-friendly & organic fabrics; we have partnered with number of NGOs who are engaged into providing and promoting the work of local artisans," says Anita Dongre.

For the uninitiated, eco-fashion is a process of creating garments with environment friendly techniques and processes which are non-hazardous to the environment.

Largely, eco-clothing uses organic cotton, bamboo jersey, viscose and linen, etc.

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Vivanta by Taj Hotel Resorts & Palaces

Earth friendliness is the hallmark of the Vivanta line, just as it is at all Taj hotels.

The parent company follows guidelines established at a United Nations Earth Summit and endorsed by nearly 200 countries.

These green benchmarks are monitored by a leading worldwide certifier, Green Globe.

Taj aims to bring the total of its Vivanta hotels to 30-plus in the next 2 years, totalling 5,000-plus guest rooms.

So, from LCDs to clothing, every brand is giving you an opportunity to ride the green wave. Go ahead, make a choice and join the green revolution.