Maharashtra and Coca-Cola Expand PET Recycling Initiative in Thane

The Government of Maharashtra, Thane Municipal Corporation, and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) have expanded the Maha r-PET Abhiyaan in Thane with the launch of a dedicated PET Collection Centre and several new initiatives. The program aims to boost the collection, segregation, and recycling of used PET bottles across the city. Key features include new collection bins, participation certificates and stickers for retailers, electric vehicles for collection, and benches made from recycled PET plastic.

The Thane PET Collection Centre will serve as a hub for aggregating and processing used PET bottles. The initiative also includes incentives for retailers, such as the Green Cool Dukaan Sticker and participation certificates, to encourage their involvement in the collection effort. Three electric vehicles were flagged off to support efficient last-mile collection operations.

Smt. Pankaja Munde, Hon'ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, emphasized the shift from a 'use and throw' to a 'use and collect' approach. She highlighted that the initiative will expand to other districts, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, and Beed. Avinash Kant Kumar, Head of Integrated Supply Chain at HCCB, noted the importance of collaboration across the value chain to build a robust recycling ecosystem.

The Maha r-PET Abhiyaan is a statewide movement focused on improving the recovery and recycling of used PET bottles. It combines collection infrastructure, retailer participation, consumer awareness, and support systems to reduce landfill burden and promote circular economy principles. HCCB, a leading FMCG company, operates across 10 states and 236 districts in South and West India, with a significant presence in Maharashtra.