Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future Through Used PET Plastic Bottle Recycling

Festivals in India are celebrated with immense devotion and energy as they are a time of joy, unity, and tradition. However, these celebrations usually generate a lot of waste. This is because they amass large gatherings, which lead to increased consumption and significant waste through the disposal of items like bottles, containers, and decorations.
To take charge and tackle the problem head-on, we at HCCB took this as an opportunity for responsible environmental action. Our goal was to set a precedent for how collective action can work to make celebrations greener and more sustainable.

What is a PET bottle and why it presents a challenge?

One of the most significant contributors to festival waste is PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles. These bottles are light, durable, and convenient but pose a substantial environmental challenge when not adequately managed. Let's break down why PET plastic bottles are a concern:

1) Volume:

Millions of PET bottles are used during large festivals, contributing to overwhelming waste.

2) Durability

While beneficial for use, bottles made of Polyethylene Terephthalate, if not recycled, persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

3) Resource Intensive:

Production of new PET plastic bottles consumes significant energy and raw materials.

However, PET's recyclability offers a silver lining. When collected and processed correctly, these bottles can be given new life, reducing environmental impact and conserving resources.

How the PET plastic bottle recycling process works?

The recycling of PET bottles is a multi-step process that ensures plastic waste is repurposed and does not end up in the environment.

1) Collection:

It starts with gathering used PET bottles through collection drives and systems. This is where our festival initiatives come in.

2) Segregation and cleaning: 

After collection, the bottles are sorted and cleaned to remove contaminants like labels and caps.

3) Shredding and pelletizing: 

The cleaned bottles are shredded into small flakes, which are then melted and turned into pellets.

4) Recycling and repurposing: 

These pellets are then used to manufacture new products, including bottles, clothing fibres, and more. The recycled material reduces the demand for virgin plastic, conserving resources.

By ensuring proper collection and PET recycling, we can close the loop and turn waste into a resource.

Our sustainable vision in action at the Puri Rath Yatra

The Puri Rath Yatra, one of the oldest and largest festivals worldwide, presented both a challenge and an opportunity. In 2024, we partnered with the District Administration and Puri Municipality to launch a groundbreaking 'Used PET Bottle-Free' initiative.

 Puri Rath Yatra video 

Here's how we approached this massive undertaking of PET recycling:

1) Strategic Collection Points:

Along the Rath Yatra route, we established collection points at critical locations such as Badadanda, The Railway Station, The Bus Stand, and more.

2) Round-the-Clock Support:

Multiple help desks operated 24/7 to guide attendees, ensuring the smooth collection and transportation of waste.

3) 1000+ Volunteers:

Over 1000 volunteers were actively involved in the initiative, spreading awareness, assisting in collection, and promoting the message of sustainability.

4) Collaboration with Partners:

We worked with organisations like The Y4D Foundation, Odisha State Pollution Control Board, and the Foundation for Climate Protection (FCP) to amplify the initiative's reach and impact.

This effort addressed waste management to ensure PET recycling during the festival and reinforced the importance of sustainability at large public gatherings.

Extending our efforts to other festivals

Ganesh Chaturthi 

The success at Puri inspired us to extend similar initiatives across India. During Mumbai's Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, we implemented the 'Used PET Bottle Free Ganpati Celebration' initiative.

This program saw:
1) Deployment of volunteers across prominent pandals like the Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani, Parel Cha Raja, and Parel Cha Maharaja
2) Collaboration with Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation and Y4D Foundation
3) Focus on collection, sorting, and recycling of used PET bottles

Dussehra

The celebration of Dussehra in Mysuru presented another opportunity to extend our sustainability initiatives. The grand Mysuru Dasara, a 10-day celebration that draws thousands of tourists and devotees from across the country, became our next focus for environmental stewardship. Working alongside the Mysuru City Corporation and Anandana: The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we implemented the "Used PET Bottle Free Dasara Celebration.”

Our approach for PET plastic bottle recycling included:

1) Strategic placement of collection bins and recycling stations at key locations, including Chamundi Hills and Aahara Mela
2) Deployment of dedicated volunteers for waste management
3) Collaboration with local partners for efficient collection and transportation
4) Systematic segregation and recycling through designated partners

We're committed to expanding these initiatives to more festivals across India through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and systematic waste management approaches. Our vision is to make sustainable celebrations the norm rather than the exception.

Together, let's continue celebrating our rich cultural heritage while ensuring a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.