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, launched the “Used PET Bottle-Free Puri Rath Yatra 2025” initiative to promote group waste management efforts in Puri, Odisha.

On June 26, 2025, a used PET bottle cleanup campaign from Digabareni Square to Swargadwar kicked off the launch ceremony. It was graced by Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Hon’ble Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Odisha, Jayanta Kumar Sarangi, Former Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly, and Shri Abhimanyu Behera, Executive Officer, Puri Municipality.

Nearly 200 volunteers were sent out as part of the MaidaanSaaf campaign to gather used PET bottles and educate tourists about proper waste management techniques. More than 200 PET collection bins were placed in a few of the city’s busiest locations. Ten help desks, staffed by knowledgeable vendors, were also positioned at key points to direct and instruct guests on environmentally friendly disposal techniques.

A plog run from Gundicha Temple to Badasankha and a beach clean-up drive near GM Law College in Penthakotta were two of the community-focused cleanup events. These group initiatives show how cooperation between local communities, businesses, and civic organizations can lead to significant change and reflect a shared duty to practice environmental stewardship.

Priyanka Dutta