Significant Update

Maharashtra on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages to collect and recycle PET (polyethene terephthalate) bottles across the state, marking the company’s first formal PET recycling partnership with any state government in India. The agreement will implement the Maha-rPET campaign under a structured public-private partnership model aimed at strengthening plastic waste collection and recycling systems.

MoUs Signed at Climate Event

The MoUs were signed by the Environment and Climate Change Department of the Government of Maharashtra and the State Climate Action Cell during a closed-door session at Mumbai Climate Action Week, in the presence of State Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde. Environment and Climate Change Department Secretary Jayashree Bhoj and State Climate Action Cell Director Abhijit Ghorpade signed the agreements on behalf of the state. The State Climate Action Cell also signed a separate MoU with Climate Trade LLP to enhance climate awareness, stakeholder engagement, and institutional capacity under Maharashtra’s State Climate Action Plan.

Maha-rPET Rollout Across Cities

Under the Maha-rPET initiative, authorities will launch awareness campaigns and establish PET collection facilities at retail outlets, hotels, workplaces, and public spaces. The programme will cover major cities including Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, and Palghar. Officials said the initiative aims to improve plastic waste management, promote responsible disposal practices, and build a replicable urban waste management model.

Net-Zero and Water Guidance Reports Released

During the event, the State Climate Action Cell released two guidance reports. One outlines a roadmap for net-zero transitions in energy and buildings across Maharashtra’s cities. The other provides practical guidance on climate-responsive water and sanitation services. The state said the initiatives strengthen its long-term strategy to build climate resilience and support sustainable urban development.

Source: The Print