Newsletter August 2026

 From the Founder’s Desk

Two Years of Green Pistachio: A Little Note of Gratitude

Two years.

Which, depending on the day, can find me vacillating between “Wait, What? Just Two Years- this has felt like a lifetime!” or “Two Years Already? Seems like yesterday that we were going to launch this baby!”

Green Pistachio began with a fairly simple idea: that conversations about sustainability didn’t have to sound like homework. That climate, conservation, consumption and impact could be talked about with curiosity, humour, honesty — and perhaps the occasional sarcasm (raised eyebrow included!)

Two years later, I’m incredibly proud of what this little green corner of the internet has become.

And I say “we” very deliberately.

Because Green Pistachio may have started as an idea, but it has grown because of people.

First, my biggest thank you to my co-founders, Suraj and Alvito. Building something from scratch is rarely glamorous. It is equal parts big ideas, tiny details, questionable sleep schedules, endless conversations and asking, “Okay, but how are we actually going to pull this off?” Thank you both for believing in the idea, challenging it, shaping it and, most importantly, sticking around for the ride.

Which brings me to the wonderfully eclectic bunch of people who have helped make Green Pistachio what it is.
Samruddhi, Ismael, Zaarah, Paripsa and Tia, who may have been with us for shorter stints, but their fingerprints are very much part of our story. Some people join a journey for years; others come along for a chapter and still manage to leave the place a little better than they found it. Thank you for being part of our story.

Eeshita, Kiara and Debjani – it’s been so great having you around for longer, and you’ve seen Green Pistachio through more than a few iterations — the experiments, the pivots, the ambitious ideas, the “let’s try this” moments and, undoubtedly, a fair amount of chaos. Thank you for growing alongside us and for bringing your own energy, ideas and personalities to the table.

And then there are our newest Nuts — Shaileyi, Prathamesh, Tvisha, and Akshay — just about two months and you’ve already jumped right into the madness. Welcome to the family. You’re still new enough to think we have everything figured out. Please enjoy that illusion while it lasts.

What I love most about this team is that everyone has brought something different. Different perspectives, different skills, different ways of looking at a problem — and occasionally, very different opinions on what makes a good Instagram post.

And somehow, it all works.

Over these two years, Green Pistachio has grown from an idea into a platform for stories, conversations and people who are trying to make sense of a world that is changing faster than any of us can keep up with.

We’ve talked about climate change, waste, biodiversity, food, fashion, travel, technology, energy, water and everything in between. But beneath all of it has been one belief: sustainability should feel like a conversation worth joining.

We’re still learning. Still experimenting. Still occasionally figuring things out as we go.

Honest Confession? That’s my favourite part.

So, to everyone who has written, researched, designed, filmed, edited, questioned, challenged, brainstormed, proofread, laughed, stayed late, shown up early, sent a “wait, I have an idea” message — and to everyone who has simply read, shared, commented or followed along:

Thank you.

You are the reason this exists.

And of course, to all our partners, collaborators, clients and green allies- I am ever so grateful that you saw the promise that a sustainable existence holds for the planet. Thank you for trusting us with your stories, ideas, campaigns and ambitions. Every project has taught us something new and reminded us that meaningful change is rarely the work of one organisation.

Two years in, I’m more excited about Green Pistachio than I was on day one. There are more stories to tell, more myths to bust, more things to question, more people to learn from and, hopefully, many more ways to make sustainability a little less intimidating and a lot more interesting.

Here’s to the people who started it, the people who shaped it, the people who are joining it, and all the people who will become part of the story next.

Two years down. Plenty of planet left to talk about. 🌱

With a heart full of gratitude (not to mention a mind full of memories and a head full of probably too many ideas),

–Avnee Kokatay
Founder, Green Pistachio

 In The Spotlight

Climate change isn’t just making headlines anymore—it’s making its way into everyday conversations. But when it comes to climate action, we’ve noticed most people fall into one of three categories:

The Overachiever – doing everything possible and still worrying it’s not enough.
The Optimist – making better choices, one step at a time.
The Worrier – cares deeply but isn’t sure where to begin.

Wherever you fit, one thing is clear: we need more honest, relatable climate conversations. That’s why we created Climate Shorts, in collaboration with Planet Pact—a series of short episodes where Avnee and Harsh bring different perspectives to everyday climate questions, making the conversations fun, honest, and refreshingly real.

Watch the series, share it with someone who needs these conversations, and join us in making climate discussions a little more honest—and a lot more human.

If Climate Shorts got you thinking, why stop there? Because if climate conversations only stay on social media, they rarely lead to lasting change. Real impact happens when they become part of our classrooms, boardrooms, and everyday lives. Come attend a Climate Talks event and be a part of the change.

Eco Nugget

When a leopard walks through a residential neighbourhood, or an elephant pauses traffic on a national highway, the immediate reaction is often disbelief: “Wildlife is invading human spaces.” But in this piece, we turn that narrative on its head and ask the uncomfortable question: Are they really coming closer, or are we just pushing further in? 

As our cities continue to grow, wildlife is often left with fewer places to call home. But is it really human-wildlife conflict, or are we simply expanding into their neighbourhoods?

Read the full article: Urban Expansion: The Truth About Human-Wildlife Conflict

What happens when protecting a brand and protecting a purpose start pulling in opposite directions? This article dives into the trademark dispute between outdoor giant Patagonia and drag activist/climate communicator, Pattie Gonia. While Patagonia claims it’s purely about protecting decades of brand identity, Pattie Gonia points out the irony of a company dedicated to “saving our home planet” spending resources to fight a fellow climate advocate.

Read the full article: The Planet Wanted Climate Action, But Got A Lawsuit Instead

Our Green Quarter

• Let’s Pedal for Cleaner Air: Every pedal stroke is one less puff of pollution. This article explores how swapping your car for a bicycle can ease traffic, clean the air, improve health, and make our cities more liveable.
• Choose Smarter Cooling: Cooling is essential—but it doesn’t have to cost the Earth. Read how thoughtful cooling habits and smarter choices can help you stay comfortable while shrinking your environmental footprint. 
• Design Green Spaces: A sustainable home doesn’t always start with solar panels. Discover practical design ideas—from natural lighting and ventilation to climate-smart materials—that make your spaces more comfortable, efficient, and kinder to the planet.
• Give Meaningful Gifts: Before buying another bouquet or coffee mug, pause and ask: What would actually make your mother smile? This article invites you to trade clichés for thoughtful moments that celebrate her in ways no wrapped gift ever could.
• Travel Beyond Tourists: Skip the tourist traps on your next trip. Choose experiences led by local communities, and conserve nature while creating meaningful livelihoods for the people who call it home.
• Use AI Mindfully: Every AI prompt leaves a footprint you can’t see. Discover what powers the “cloud,” and how using AI more mindfully can reduce your digital footprint.
• Discover Conscious Brands: Looking for brands that genuinely walk the sustainability talk? Explore our curated recommendations and support circular fashion, cleaner beauty, mindful living, and businesses creating real impact.
• Care Beyond Cleanup: Beach clean-ups matter—but they’re only part of the story. Discover why safeguarding coastal ecosystems is just as important for keeping our oceans healthy.
• Build Greener Communities: Imagine if your next society meeting was about composting, swap corners, and winning the title of a Green Star Society. 
• Celebrate Every Ability: Discover inspiring organisations creating meaningful careers for autistic individuals—and explore simple ways to help build a future where everyone gets a fair chance.
• Keep Forests Standing: Before celebrating another tree-planting campaign, ask what’s happening to the forests we already have and why protecting existing rainforests is one of the most powerful climate actions we can take.
• Bring Nature Home: You don’t need acres of land to make room for nature. Meet inspiring home gardeners who’ve transformed ordinary spaces into thriving green havens. 
• A New Rural Push: Rural India is home to immense talent – but opportunities need the right support to grow. Learn about the latest government scheme working towards skill development, employment opportunities, and stronger communities ready for tomorrow.
• Rethink Plastic Responsibility: Plastic pollution isn’t just a consumer problem – it’s a system problem. Discover how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is changing the way plastic waste is managed. 
• Bring SDGs to Work: The SDGs provide a roadmap—but workplaces decide how far the journey goes. Discover practical ways organisations can contribute to these global goals. 
• Guest Articles: This quarter, we also had Nitisha Agrawal, sustainability and social impact advocate, share not one, but two thought-provoking reads with us—and trust us, you’ll want to bookmark both.

 GreenFluence

Every quarter, we like to pause and look at organisations that are reimagining what sustainability can look like at scale. Because every meaningful initiative has a story, and every story has the power to inspire another.

Disney is a household name—a world-renowned entertainment giant whose influence spans generations and continents. When such an iconic brand turns its focus toward environmental responsibility, it sets a powerful precedent for organisations everywhere. Guided by five ambitious sustainability targets—emissions, water, waste, materials, and sustainable design—Disney is showing that conservation doesn’t have to exist solely behind the scenes; it can become an integral part of the magic itself.

Behind the magic, Disney is reimagining what happens after the experience ends. In FY25, 60% of Disney’s total operational waste was diverted from landfill and incineration, bringing the company closer to its goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030 across its parks, resorts, and cruise line. From reducing food waste and diverting at least 50% of food waste to cutting down single-use plastics and moving towards reusable alternatives, Disney is proving that a more sustainable story is built one choice at a time.

 Thinking Hat

Wars often end with a ceasefire. Their impact on the planet doesn’t. From rising emissions to scarred landscapes and polluted ecosystems, this article reveals the hidden environmental costs of war—and why climate change is often the silent casualty of war.

Naturally, that led us to another question: if conflicts can leave such lasting marks on the environment, what about the weapons created to stop them? This article takes a fresh look at nuclear weapons—not through politics, but through the lens of humanity, security, and our shared future.

Just when you think you’ve connected all the dots, another one appears. Zoom out beyond wars, countries, and politics, and you’ll arrive at planetary boundaries—the invisible limits that keep Earth in balance. In this article, we unpack what these boundaries are, why scientists believe we’ve already crossed several of them, and what that means for the future of our planet.

Sprout

Every programme begins with a prototype. Ours began with Sorting Out—a waste-sorting experience that changed the way people think about waste. Harsh, Co-founder of Planet Pact, was at the event held in Ghatkopar. He shared his experience at Sorting Out Mumbai 2.0, where residents, experts, and housekeeping staff came together to rethink waste—not as a problem, but as a shared responsibility.

In the weeks that followed, our inbox started filling up with messages from people wanting to recreate the experience in their own communities—including a recent enquiry from Visakhapatnam.

So yes, this is only the beginning. We’re excited to take Sorting Out to more neighbourhoods, housing societies, schools, and workplaces across India, bringing together experts, citizens, and changemakers under one roof. And if you’d like your community to be next—or simply want to learn more about waste management and connect with local recyclers—send us a DM on Instagram. We’d love to make it happen together.

EcoDate

If you’ve seen Kiara and Avnee having way too much fun on our Instagram reels lately, you already know the energy at Green Pistachio is high. Beyond the laughs, we’re standing on the edge of a major milestone: celebrating two full years of GP! To mark the occasion, our growing team is heading out for a well-deserved weekend getaway—a chance to recharge, reflect, and welcome our newest team members, Akshay, Prathmesh, and Shaileyi, into the fold.

On the ground, our community momentum is picking up fast. We’re currently gearing up for the third edition of Sorting Out Mumbai (SOM) to make local waste segregation even simpler for residents. Beyond SOM, we’re hoping to expand our offline calendar with hands-on workshops and a Recycler’s Mela. 

Meanwhile, Avnee is taking our message straight to the next generation with an upcoming guest lecture at St. Xavier’s, showing how youth-led action can drive real ecological change. And we’re bringing Season 2 of the Impact Shift Series, highlighting inspiring young changemakers who will share their raw journeys and fresh solutions for the planet.

Behind the screens, big changes are brewing. We’re officially revamping the Green Pistachio website to make our resources and articles even easier to navigate. On the strategic front, we’re rolling out dedicated Climate Innovation Labs in schools and launching a tailored climate action program, Climate Garage, within corporate offices. We’re taking our mission directly to where people learn and work, turning everyday environments into active hubs for sustainability and circular living.

Between expanding our team, scaling our initiatives, and launching new offline campaigns, we’re building something truly impactful. We’re so grateful to have you along for the ride as we step into this exciting next chapter—stay tuned, because there is so much more coming your way very soon!

Team Green Pistachio

Recent Collaborations