Coca-Cola India and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have expanded their partnership by introducing waste-to-value solutions as part of India’s first branded train, the Sprite Tejas Express. The initiative aims to showcase how post-consumer plastic waste can be transformed into useful public infrastructure while promoting sustainable practices across railway stations and passenger services.
The collaboration builds on the launch of the Sprite Tejas Express and focuses on giving discarded plastic a second life through practical applications. Instead of ending up in landfills, post-consumer PET bottles are being recycled into products that can be used in public spaces.
One of the highlights of the initiative was the unveiling of a specially designed ceremonial flag made entirely from recycled PET bottles during the launch of the Sprite Tejas Express. The flag symbolised the partnership’s commitment to sustainability and circular waste management.
The initiative has also extended beyond the train itself. At Lucknow railway station, benches made from recycled plastic waste have been installed for passengers. According to the companies, each bench has been manufactured using nearly 45 kilograms of post-consumer plastic packaging waste, demonstrating how recycled materials can be repurposed into durable public assets.
Senior officials from Indian Railways, IRCTC and Coca-Cola India were present during the launch, highlighting the growing focus on sustainability within public infrastructure projects.
Speaking about the initiative, Devyani RL Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to converting post-consumer waste into practical solutions that benefit communities.
She added that partnerships with public-sector organisations help transform responsible waste management into scalable initiatives that can create a lasting environmental impact. The company also expressed interest in expanding similar collaborations to develop more long-term sustainability projects across the country.
The partnership is expected to explore additional applications of recycled materials in the future. Both organisations are looking at opportunities to integrate waste-to-value products into different aspects of the passenger experience, including facilities at railway stations and inside trains.
The initiative aligns with Coca-Cola India’s broader sustainability strategy, which focuses on responsible packaging, waste management and environmental conservation. The company has been working with government bodies and public institutions to encourage circular economy practices and promote the reuse of plastic waste through innovative solutions.
India’s railway network serves millions of passengers every day, making it one of the country’s most visible public spaces. By introducing recycled products into railway infrastructure, the initiative aims to raise awareness about responsible waste disposal while demonstrating how discarded plastic can be converted into functional assets.
The Sprite Tejas Express partnership represents another step towards integrating sustainability into everyday public services. By combining innovation with environmental responsibility, Coca-Cola India and IRCTC hope to encourage wider adoption of waste-to-value solutions and inspire similar initiatives across public infrastructure projects in India.
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