Bhubaneshwar, Puri, July 30: The Odisha Development Management Programme's (ODMP) "Used PET Bottle-Free Rath Yatra" initiative designed to drive action for systematic used PET bottle collection and sustained civic awareness, during one of India's largest gatherings, was successfully completed at the Puri Rath Yatra 2026.
Inaugurated by Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Hon'ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of Odisha, the campaign began with the Minister personally joining volunteers to collect used PET bottles, reinforcing its core message of accountability through action.
Dr. Mahaling’s on-ground participation instilled new vigour in the third edition of this campaign, driven in partnership with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), Puri Municipal Corporation, and supported by Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) and Anandana: The Coca-Cola India Foundation.
HCCB has been supporting and driving used PET bottle collection and recycling initiatives in Puri for three consecutive years. This year, HCCB has driven a multi-format, 360-degree blitz to make the message of responsible used PET segregation impossible to miss and easy to act on:
- Folk art and Nukkad Nataks: Street plays performed in Odia language were staged at key locations across Puri through the course of the Yatra, using colourful, culturally rooted performances to teach pilgrims and residents the importance of segregating PET segregation and disposing of it correctly to minimise environmental impact.
- 200+ volunteers (safai saathis) on the ground: Trained volunteers were stationed not only at major Yatra touchpoints, including Pallishree Mela Ground, Bholanath Vidya Pith, Puri Main Bus Stand, Talabania Temporary Bus Stand, Puri Railway Station, Badasankha and Digabareni Square, but also at high-footfall tourist spots such as Swargadwar beach and Hotel Shreehari, ensuring PET collection extends well beyond the temple route.
- 10 dedicated rPET zones: Ten rPET zones were set up across the city to help pilgrims and residents easily deposit used PET bottles for recycling.
- Help desks at temple and beach zones: Stationed teams were directly guiding visitors on correct segregation practices, reinforcing the campaign's message at the point of action.
Community and influencers pick up the cause
The campaign's ground-up model, seeded by HCCB's emphasis on community-led participation, swelled well beyond official volunteers. Local citizens and city influencers also extended their own voice and visibility to the drive, amplifying the message of responsible PET collection and pulling in wider civic participation across Puri.
This momentum was built well before the Yatra. ODMP and its partners organised PET collection drives, plogging sessions and a programme with the Hotel Owners’ Association for used PET bottle disposal across the city’s hospitality sector. With the successful conclusion of the 'Used PET Bottle-Free Rath Yatra' initiative, ODMP and its partners highlighted how responsible PET collection and recycling can drive meaningful community engagement and strengthen public participation across Odisha.
