Maharashtra has taken a public–private approach to tackling plastic waste by partnering with a major beverage company to improve recycling systems across several cities. The agreement, signed during Mumbai Climate Week, focuses on building an organised framework for collecting and recycling PET bottles while promoting responsible waste disposal among citizens.
The state government signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages to launch the “Maha-rPET Campaign”, an initiative aimed at strengthening the collection and recycling of used PET bottles. Officials said the project represents an effort to create a circular economy model where plastic waste is systematically recovered and reused instead of ending up in landfills or water bodies.
The agreement was formalised by the Maharashtra Environment and Climate Change Department during the climate event in the presence of state environment minister Pankaja Munde. Authorities described the collaboration as the first time the company has entered into such a recycling agreement with a state government in India.
Under the campaign, structured PET bottle collection systems will be set up in major urban centres including Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed and Palghar. Dedicated collection points will be installed at retail stores, hotels, workplaces and other public spaces to make disposal and recycling easier for residents.
The programme also includes year-round awareness campaigns and educational initiatives that will involve schools, institutions and local self-governing bodies. Officials say the goal is to build community participation in plastic waste management and encourage citizens to adopt responsible recycling practices.
Alongside this agreement, the state’s Climate Action Cell also signed another MoU with Climate Trade LLP to expand climate awareness, improve stakeholder engagement and strengthen the implementation of Maharashtra’s State Climate Action Plan. Two guidance reports on net-zero urban development and climate-responsive water and sanitation services were also released during the event.
Officials believe the partnership model—combining government policy oversight with corporate implementation—could serve as a replicable framework for managing plastic waste and advancing climate action in other parts of the country.
