Coca-Cola India and Reliance Retail have jointly launched a sustainability initiative named “Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana.” Focused on post-consumer PET collection, this pilot project utilizes Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and collection bins at Reliance Retail stores in Mumbai, aligning with the Swachh Bharat Mission. Starting in 36 stores, including Smart Bazaar and Sahakari Bhandar in Mumbai and Delhi, the initiative aims to expand to 200 stores nationwide by 2025, targeting the annual collection of 5,00,000 PET bottles during the pilot phase.
The initiative’s launch, attended by Kazi Irfan from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), took place at Reliance Retail’s Smart Bazaar store in Santa Cruz. RVMs and collection bins installed in these stores offer consumers a convenient way to deposit used PET bottles, receiving discounts on Coca-Cola India products. The collected PET bottles will be recycled by Reliance Industries (RIL), a leader in polyester and plastics recycling, contributing to responsible waste management and transitioning away from a linear economy.
Damodar Mall, CEO, Grocery Retail, Reliance Retail, highlighted the initiative’s synergy with daily habits of Indian families, emphasizing the modern approach of SmartBazaar. Greishma Singh, VP, Customer and Commercial Leadership, Coca-Cola India, expressed delight in raising awareness and providing convenient recycling options. Hemant D Sharma, President, Growth and Strategy, Polyester, Reliance Industries, emphasized Reliance’s commitment to sustainability and circularity, showcasing their recycling achievements over two decades.
The initiative aligns with Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste strategy, aiming to collect and recycle 100% of the company’s packaging. It builds on the momentum of Coca-Cola India’s ‘Return and Recycle’ initiative with Zepto, involving 50,000 households and successful RVM installations across 75 cities, collecting 1 tonne of PET waste. This collaborative effort represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and circular future.
