New Delhi: The Coca-Cola India Foundation, Anandana, has released a powerful video recap of its recent Used PET Bottle-Free initiative under the Maidaan Saaf campaign, spotlighting its on-ground efforts to promote responsible plastic waste collection, segregation, and recycling at large-scale public events.
Executed in collaboration with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, Puri Municipality, District Administration Puri, Odisha Development Management Programme (ODMP), and the Y4D Foundation, the campaign took place during the iconic event in Puri and mobilized nearly 200 volunteers, 200 PET bins, and 10 helpdesks along the Yatra route.
“The recent Puri event brought with it immense scale, and the responsibility to manage its impact with care,” said Saloni Goel, Senior Director – ESG Value Creation & Commercialization, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia. “Every element of this initiative was designed in alignment with the city’s needs and built on the principle of collective action. This was an opportunity to contribute to the larger purpose, and to do it with intent.”
Pradeep Kumar, Vice-Chairman, ODMP, reflected on the initiative’s growing community involvement: “This year, just like the last, we witnessed even better cooperation from the government and the municipality. The Safai Sathis we engaged experienced economic development, having gained employment during the Puri event.”
Adding to the impact, Dr. Praful Nikam, President, Y4D Foundation, said, “This kind of awareness initiative went beyond just speeches or pamphlets, we implemented a mechanism on the ground. With dedicated cleanliness drives, daily waste collection, and motivating the public, we were able to create a system that was both sustainable and impactful.”
Sharing her experience, Shantilika Pradhan, a Safai Saathi involved in the drive, added, “When we cleaned up the waste, others noticed and followed. People saw us using the dustbins which motivated them to do the same. That’s how change began, by setting an example.”
The Maidaan Saaf campaign underscores Coca-Cola India Foundation’s commitment to environmental sustainability and circular economy principles. It highlights the power of civic and corporate partnerships in creating scalable, community-led solutions for waste management.
