Pune, Maharashtra, August 11, 2026: Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation has supported public infrastructure made from recycled plastic during the Pandharpur Ashadhi Wari 2026, one of Maharashtra’s prominent annual pilgrimages.
The initiative was carried out in collaboration with Econscious, Ecodeco – The Recycle Home Private Limited, Lakshya and bottler Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB). It aimed to support pilgrims, volunteers and on-ground authorities while strengthening waste management arrangements during the Wari.
The initiative was undertaken as part of #MaidaanSaaf, Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation’s ongoing flagship campaign focused on responsible and structured waste collection, segregation and recycling at high-footfall cultural and sporting events across India.
As lakhs of Warkaris travelled in Dindis over several days towards Pandharpur, the initiative supported essential public amenities as well as waste collection infrastructure along the pilgrimage route.
Recycled Plastic Used for Public Infrastructure
One of the key components of the initiative was the installation of 20 women-friendly changing rooms along the riverbed for Warkaris. The facilities featured illustrated walls carrying messages about responsible waste management.
The installations were designed to combine public convenience with awareness efforts. Through the messages displayed on the walls, Warkaris and visitors were encouraged to dispose of waste responsibly during the pilgrimage.
In addition to the changing rooms, two police watch towers were set up to support crowd management during the Wari.
The initiative also included measures aimed at strengthening plastic waste collection. Nearly 2,000 waste bags were provided for plastic waste collection, while 1,000 raincoats were distributed to volunteers and police personnel supporting the Wari.
Additional waste collection infrastructure, including dustbins, was also deployed at key locations. The infrastructure was intended to encourage responsible waste disposal throughout the pilgrimage.
Focus on Waste Collection and Recycling
The Maidaan Saaf initiative at the Pandharpur Wari brought together public infrastructure and waste management efforts. The use of recycled plastic for functional infrastructure was positioned as a way of demonstrating how collected plastic can be put to meaningful use.
Devyani R. L. Rana, Vice President – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, said the foundation believes lasting impact comes through partnerships and solutions rooted in community needs.
According to Rana, the Maidaan Saaf initiative at the Pandharpur Wari focused on supporting essential public infrastructure while reinforcing the importance of waste collection and recycling. She said the initiative reflects the foundation’s continued effort to contribute to cleaner public spaces.
Himanshu Priyadarshi, Chief Public Affairs and Sustainability Officer, HCCB, said large community gatherings such as the Pandharpur Wari provide an opportunity to encourage responsible environmental practices through collective participation.
He noted that recycled plastic had been transformed into functional public infrastructure to support pilgrims. According to Priyadarshi, initiatives of this nature demonstrate how collaboration can help strengthen public amenities at community gatherings.
Vaibhav Verma, Co-Founder, Econscious, said the focus of the collaboration was to integrate waste management into spaces used by Warkaris, volunteers and authorities throughout the Wari.
Verma said creating visible and functional infrastructure supported public convenience while also encouraging responsible waste-handling practices during the pilgrimage.
Maidaan Saaf Campaign
Maidaan Saaf is a campaign by Coca-Cola India and Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, focused on promoting responsible plastic waste collection, segregation and recycling at high-footfall cultural and sporting events.
The campaign also supports broader environmental goals by helping strengthen waste collection systems, encouraging the reuse of materials such as post-consumer PET and raising awareness about the value of recycling.
Maidaan Saaf was launched in 2023 during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Since then, the campaign has been activated at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and several prominent cultural events across India.
These have included Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, Maharashtra; Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha; and Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
The campaign is driven by innovation, collaboration and community action. It continues to evolve as a multi-dimensional initiative focused on waste management and recycling at large public gatherings.
Through collaborations with local partners, Maidaan Saaf aims to strengthen waste management infrastructure and encourage responsible waste management practices at major community events.
About Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation
Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, is a company registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act. The foundation focuses on sustainable development and inclusive growth, with initiatives aimed at contributing to a better and healthier society and a strong and resilient India.
The foundation works towards its objectives by providing monetary grants and other assistance to NGOs, beneficiary organisations, cooperatives, philanthropies and other suitable partners.
These partners support the implementation of social welfare projects across the country.
The Pandharpur Wari 2026 initiative adds another collaboration to the Maidaan Saaf campaign’s efforts at large-scale cultural and community gatherings. By combining waste collection infrastructure, public amenities and the use of recycled plastic, the initiative supported Warkaris, volunteers and authorities during one of Maharashtra’s prominent annual pilgrimages.
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