Coca-Cola Foundation Extends PET Waste Collection Drive to Three Major Festivals
The initiatives focused on facilitating post-consumer PET bottle collection, encouraging reusable alternatives and raising public awareness about waste management during festivals, the foundation said in a release on Wednesday.
In Vadodara, Anandana partnered with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) and NGO Lakshya to facilitate PET bottle collection at the Lukshmi Vilas Palace Heritage pandal during Navratri, which attracts an estimated 35,000 visitors daily.
At Mysuru Dasara, Anandana and HCCB worked with the Mysuru City Corporation and implementation partner Sangam Pratishthan to support collection drives at Chamundi Hills and the Food Mela grounds.
More than 30 volunteers and sanitation workers participated, while designated collection points and Kannada street plays encouraged visitors to dispose of waste responsibly.
In Kolkata, the campaign partnered with Raah Charitable Trust to distribute reusable tote bags at Gariahat and SS Hogg Market, encouraging shoppers and vendors to reduce the use of single-use bags.
A separate collection drive at the Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal promoted responsible disposal of used PET bottles.
The collected bottles were channelled through authorised recycling systems for recovery and recycling, helping prevent post-consumer packaging from being left in public spaces after the festivities.
Devyani R L Rana, Vice-President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said managing waste at large cultural gatherings required coordinated efforts by industry, local institutions and communities.
The campaign aimed to strengthen on-ground collection systems and encourage responsible disposal practices through local partnerships, she added.
Launched during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023, Maidaan Saaf has since been extended to major sporting and cultural events, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, Rath Yatra in Puri and Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.
Reusable collection bags have also been distributed during Tirupati Brahmotsavam and the Amarnath Yatra.
TNT KS
