Coca-Cola India Foundation’s Maidaan Saaf Launches Used PET Bottle-Free Initiative at Puri Rath Yatra
CE DESK 
Discover how the Coca-Cola India Foundation’s Anandana, through its Maidaan Saaf campaign, is leading sustainable change with the Used PET Bottle-Free initiative – showcasing impactful plastic waste collection, segregation, and recycling efforts at major public events like the Puri Rath Yatra.
Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, just put out a great video that shows how well its Used PET Bottle-Free campaign has been doing as part of the Maidaan Saaf campaign. The project shows that the organisation is dedicated to managing plastic waste in a responsible way, with a focus on collecting, sorting, and recycling it at some of India’s biggest public events, like the Puri Rath Yatra 2025.
Key Highlights of the Initiative:Â
- Massive Mobilisation: Almost 200 volunteers helped with waste collection and public awareness campaigns during the event, which had a lot of people.
- Infrastructure Deployment: More than 200 PET bottle collection bins and 10 help desks were carefully placed along the main event routes, such as Digabareni Square to Swargadwar, to make sure that people could easily and environmentally friendly throw away their trash.
- On-Ground Engagement: Volunteers and staff actively showed visitors how to sort their plastic correctly, and help desks were there to provide information and education.
- Collaborative Approach: The project was carried out with the help of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, Puri Municipality, District Administration Puri, the Odisha Development Management Programme (ODMP), and the Y4D Foundation. This shows how different groups can work together to manage waste in a way that is good for the environment.
Activities and Effects:Â
- Clean-Up Drives and Plog Runs: Big clean-up drives, like the one from Digabareni Square to Swargadwar and beach clean-ups in Penthakotta, helped spread the campaign’s message of keeping public places free of plastic.
- Job Opportunities: Safai Sathis (sanitation workers) who worked on the campaign were able to make money and learn new skills during the event.
- Community Awareness: The campaign taught thousands of pilgrims and visitors about the importance of recycling and throwing away plastic in the right way. It set an example for other large events.
- Larger-Scale Maidaan Saaf Campaign Waste Collection: Maidaan Saaf seeks to encourage and support the collection, segregation, and recycling of plastic waste at major religious, cultural, and athletic events throughout India.
Long-Term Solutions: The campaign offers creative fixes, such as:
- PET jackets are distributed to sanitation workers.
- Women’s changing areas constructed from multi-layered recycled plastic,
- Reverse vending machines (RVMs) and interactive awareness campaigns at gathering places.
- Environmental Impact: By integrating circular economy practices, these initiatives promote a sustainable public culture.
Summary Table: Used PET Bottle-Free Puri Rath Yatra Initiative
The PET Bottle-Free initiative under the Maidaan Saaf campaign highlights The Coca-Cola India Foundation’s proactive approach to tackling plastic waste at major events. By combining community engagement, innovative collection methods, and strong multi-stakeholder partnerships, the campaign sets a benchmark for responsible waste management and environmental stewardship in India.
