Reliance Retail and Coca-Cola join forces to promote sustainability

Reliance Industries retail arm Reliance Retail and Coca-Cola India on Monday, January 15, announced the launch of a sustainability initiative titled "Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana." The initiative focuses on Post-consumer PET collection. The collections are being done via Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and collection bins at Reliance Retail stores.

The companies have commenced the collection process in 36 stores of Reliance Retail including Smart Bazaar and Sahakari Bhandar stores in Mumbai and Delhi. The companies plan to expand to 200 stores across the country by 2025 with a target of collecting 5,00,000 PET bottles annually in the pilot phase.

The initiative was launched in the presence of Kazi Irfan, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Solid Waste Management, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), at Reliance Retail’s Smart Bazaar store in Santa Cruz.

"The installed RVMs and collection bins will give consumers a convenient way to deposit used PET bottles in exchange for compelling discounts on Coca-Cola India products," the companies said in a media release.

The disposed PET bottles will be collected and recycled by Reliance Industries (RIL), a leader in the recycling of polyester and plastics. This initiative will facilitate smooth waste collection by engaging consumers in responsible waste management - transitioning away from a traditional linear economy.