200 volunteers, 200 PET bins deployed as part of Maidaan Saaf to promote eco-conscious pilgrimage

To promote responsible waste management during the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation – along with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), Puri Municipality, the District Administration (Puri), Odisha Development Management Programme (ODMP), and Y4D Foundation, has launched the ‘Used PET Bottle-free Puri Rath Yatra 2025’ initiative.

The campaign, part of the ongoing Maidaan Saaf programme, began on 26 June with a clean-up drive from Digabareni Square to Swargadwar. It aims to reduce plastic waste and encourage sustainable disposal practices during the high-footfall religious event.

To support the initiative, nearly 200 volunteers were deployed across Puri to collect used PET bottles and engage with visitors on eco-conscious behaviour. Over 200 PET collection bins were placed in key public areas, and 10 helpdesks were set up to guid waste segregation and recycling.

Senior government and municipal representatives, including Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Odisha, participated in the launch ceremony. He noted that collective efforts are essential to maintain cleanliness during large events.

Devyani R L Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said the initiative was developed in response to the city’s specific needs and built on collaborative action with local partners. “By integrating the Maidaan Saaf campaign into this effort, we aim to encourage more visitors to adopt responsible waste practices,” she said.

As part of its contribution, HCCB also started the Green Sweep initiative, which involves setting up strategic collection points and deploying trained safai sathis to handle used-PET waste. Public engagement activities included street plays (Nukkad Natak) in Odia to spread awareness. Additional activities such as a beach clean-up near GM Law College in Penthakotta and a plog run from Gundicha Temple to Badasankha were also organised, reflecting broader civic involvement.

The organisers view the initiative as a model of how multi-stakeholder partnerships can support large-scale events in becoming more environmentally conscious.