Empowering Sustainability Anandana’s ‘Maidaan Saaf’ Initiative Cleans Up Puri Rath Yatra 2026

Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, partnering with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), the Puri Municipal Corporation, the Puri District Administration, the Housing & Urban Development Department (Government of Odisha), the State Pollution Control Board (Odisha), and the Odisha Development Management Programme (ODMP), successfully executed the ‘Used PET Bottle-Free Puri Rath Yatra 2026’ drive under its flagship ‘Maidaan Saaf’ initiative. Spanning the 10 days of the sacred Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra, the campaign aimed to foster long-term behavioral change by championing the responsible collection and recycling of used PET bottles at high-density public events across India.

On-Ground Deployment and Volunteer Network:
To manage waste efficiently during the massive pilgrimage, over 200 volunteers and Safai Sathis were strategically deployed across key public points in Puri. Key deployment zones included the Pallishree Mela Ground, Bholanath Vidya Pith, Puri Main Bus Stand, Talabania Temporary Bus Stand, Puri Railway Station, Badasankha, Digabareni Square, Swargadwar, and Hotel Shreehari. Additionally, 10 dedicated Used PET Bottle Collection Centres and help desks were established across prominent temple and beach locations to facilitate easy disposal and recycling.

Leadership Perspectives and Cultural Outreach:
Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of Odisha, commended the partnership for entering its third consecutive year, noting that community-rooted efforts prove civic duty and tradition can harmoniously coexist. Devyani R L Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, emphasized that collaborative community action is vital to supporting Puri’s vision for sustainable waste management during major gatherings. To maximize public engagement, the campaign integrated Odia-language folk performances, nukkad naataks, pre-event plogging sessions, and targeted community outreach.

Building on Past Environmental Milestones:
This year’s campaign successfully builds upon the substantial impact established in previous editions, which saw the recovery of 17 metric tonnes of used PET bottles in 2024 and 26.32 metric tonnes in 2025. Through continuous collaboration with local administration and implementation partners, the 2026 edition further optimized waste collection infrastructure and ensured a cleaner, more sustainable festival experience for all devotees.