Mumbai: Maharashtra on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Coca-Cola to recycle PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles across the state, calling it India’s first such agreement.
It also signed a second MoU with Climate Trade LLP to strengthen climate awareness, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building. The collaboration is expected to support the implementation of Maharashtra’s State Climate Action Plan, improve climate communication systems, and enhance coordination among departments working on climate-related issues.
The MoUs were signed by the Environment and Climate Change Department of the Government of Maharashtra and the State Climate Action Cell during one of the closed-door sessions at the Mumbai Climate Action Week, attended by Pankaja Munde, State Environment and Climate Change Minister.
One agreement was signed between the State Climate Action Cell and Climate Trade LLP, while the other was signed between the Environment and Climate Change Department and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages to roll out the Maha-rPET campaign across the state.
The agreement with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages is the first instance in India of the company formally partnering with a state government to collect and recycle used PET bottles. The MoUs were signed by Environment and Climate Change Department Secretary Jayashree Bhoj and State Climate Action Cell Director Abhijit Ghorpade.
The Maha-rPET campaign aims to promote systematic collection and recycling of PET waste through a structured public-private partnership model. According to the department, the initiative is intended to make plastic waste management more sustainable while reinforcing Maharashtra’s long-term environmental vision to strengthen climate resilience, improve institutional capacity, and support sustainable development.
The initiative will roll out awareness campaigns, structured collection systems, and information and education material on responsible plastic disposal in several cities, including Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, and Palghar.
Collection facilities will be set up at retail centres, hotels, workplaces, and public spaces. Officials stated that the programme will also involve continuous engagement with schools, institutions, and local self-governing bodies throughout the year.
The department said the collaboration seeks to create a practical and replicable public-private partnership model by aligning government policy oversight with on-ground implementation, and to build a more disciplined and community-led approach to PET waste management in urban areas.
In addition to the MoUs, two guidance reports prepared by the State Climate Action Cell were released during the event. One report, developed in collaboration with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, outlines a roadmap for net-zero transitions in energy and buildings in Maharashtra’s cities.
It includes high-impact action plans prepared by seven cities, including Mumbai, Amravati, and Thane, with a focus on achieving net-zero municipal buildings and scaling up rooftop solar installations.
Another report, prepared with the Centre for Water and Sanitation, provides practical guidance on climate-responsive water and sanitation services. Drawing from urban experiences in Maharashtra, the report highlights circular economy models, energy transition, and inclusive service delivery. This places Maharashtra among the leading states in city-focused climate action with a replicable model.
(Edited by Varnika Dhawan)
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