Puri, Odisha, July 04, 2025: Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), Puri Municipality, District Administration (Puri), Odisha Development Management Programme (ODMP), and Y4D Foundation, has launched the ‘Used PET Bottle-Free Puri Rath Yatra 2025’ initiative under its Maidaan Saaf campaign.
The initiative, launched on June 26, 2025, aims to promote responsible plastic waste management during the Puri Rath Yatra—a major cultural event in Odisha. The launch featured a PET bottle clean-up drive from Digabareni Square to Swargadwar in the presence of Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Odisha; Jayanta Kumar Sarangi, Former Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly; and Shri Abhimanyu Behera, Executive Officer, Puri Municipality.
As part of the campaign, nearly 200 volunteers were deployed and over 200 PET collection bins installed across key locations in Puri. Additionally, 10 help desks staffed by trained personnel were set up to guide and educate visitors on eco-friendly disposal practices.
“The Puri Rath Yatra is one of Odisha’s most revered and high-footfall events. It is our collective responsibility to ensure it remains clean and environmentally sustainable. I commend the efforts of Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), and their partners for launching this meaningful initiative. By engaging communities and deploying practical waste management solutions, they’ve set a strong example of how collaboration drives real change on the ground,” said Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia.
“Coca-Cola India is humbled to support the city of Puri by enabling used-PET bottle collection across public areas. Along with our partners, every element of this initiative has been designed in alignment with the city’s needs and built on the principle of collective action. We see this as an opportunity to contribute to a larger purpose, and to do it with intent. Integrating the Maidaan Saaf campaign into this initiative demonstrates how innovative recycling solutions can be deployed to encourage visitors to adopt eco-friendly practices,” said Devyani R L Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia.
“As we rejoice in a grand cultural and social celebration in Puri, that brings together people from across the country, we recognize our shared responsibility to care for the host city. Our ‘Green Sweep’ initiative is built on the principles of environmental stewardship, where strategic collection points play a pivotal role in collecting, segregating, and transporting used-PET bottles to recyclers. With the trained safai sathis and engaging traditional storytelling through Nukkad Natak in Odia, we aim to make the celebration in Puri free of used PET bottles, together with Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, and the Odisha government,” said Himanshu Priyadarshi, Chief Public Affairs and Sustainability Officer, HCCB.
Community-driven clean-up efforts during the campaign included a beach clean-up near GM Law College in Penthakotta and a plog run from Gundicha Temple to Badasankha. The initiative emphasizes collaboration between civic bodies, corporate partners, and local communities to promote environmental responsibility and sustainability during major cultural events.
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