Coca-Cola India and Reliance Retail, India’s largest retailer, have announced the launch of a new sustainability initiative, “Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana”. The initiative is focused on the collection of post-consumer PET bottles at Reliance Retail stores in Mumbai through Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and collection bins.
The pilot project, which aligns with the Government’s Swachh Bharat Mission, has already commenced in 36 stores of Reliance Retail, including Smart Bazaar and Sahakari Bhandar stores in Mumbai and Delhi. The initiative is set to expand to 200 stores across the country by 2025, with a target of collecting 500,000 PET bottles annually during the pilot phase.
The initiative was launched at Reliance Retail’s Smart Bazaar store in Santa Cruz, Mumbai, in the presence of Kazi Irfan, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Solid Waste Management, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The installed RVMs and collection bins will provide consumers with a convenient way to deposit used PET bottles, in exchange for attractive discounts on Coca-Cola India products. The collected PET bottles will be recycled by Reliance Industries (RIL), a leader in the recycling of polyester and plastics. This initiative aims to facilitate smooth waste collection by engaging consumers in responsible waste management, marking a transition away from a traditional linear economy.
Mr. Damodar Mall, Chief Executive Officer, Grocery Retail, Reliance Retail Limited, spoke on the launch, highlighting the habit of Indian families to recycle daily-use items like milk pouches, plastic bottles, and newspapers. He emphasized that SmartBazaar, as a modern retailer, continues to encourage this habit with modern methods.
Ms. Greishma Singh, Vice President – Customer and Commercial Leadership, Coca‑Cola India and Southwest Asia, expressed delight at the partnership and platform, which will generate awareness and provide shoppers a convenient way to recycle their PET bottles.
Mr. Hemant D Sharma, President – Growth and Strategy, Polyester, Reliance Industries Limited, highlighted Reliance’s commitment to sustainability and circularity, leading India’s charge in transforming waste into valuable resources.
This initiative is a significant step toward Coca-Cola’s commitment to collect and recycle the equivalent of 100% of the packaging the company produces as part of its World Without Waste strategy. It builds on the momentum of Coca-Cola India’s ‘Return and Recycle’ initiative in collaboration with Zepto, which has seen participation from 50,000 households in India and successful RVM installations across 75 cities in the country, collecting 1 Tonne of PET waste.
About Coca-Cola India:
Coca-Cola India, a leading beverage company, offers a wide array of high-quality and refreshing beverages to consumers. With a vision of ‘Beverages For Life’, it provides a diverse portfolio of products including hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice, and dairy-based beverages. The company is continually innovating its portfolio, reducing sugar in its drinks, and introducing new products. In collaboration with its bottling operations and franchise partners, Coca-Cola India has a strong network of nearly 4 million retail outlets, serving millions of consumers nationwide. It is committed to positively impacting communities and the environment through initiatives like water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture, and carbon emission reductions. Globally, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners employ over 700,000 people, contributing to economic opportunities in local communities worldwide.
About Reliance Retail Limited:
Reliance Retail Limited, a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), operates an integrated omni-channel network of over 18,650 stores and digital platforms across various sectors. Partnering with over 3 million merchants through its New Commerce initiative, it is the only Indian retailer in the global Top 100 and one of the fastest-growing retailers worldwide. For the year ending March 31, 2023, RRVL reported a consolidated turnover of ₹ 260,364 crore (31.7 billion) and a net profit of ₹ 9,181 crore (1.1 billion).
Also Read: Chief economists not upbeat about global economy in 2024
