Maharashtra launches ‘Maha r-PET’ drive to boost plastic recycling

Maharashtra Environment Minister Pankaja Munde has launched the ‘Maha r-PET Bottle & Stickers’ initiative to promote large-scale plastic recycling across the state.

Munde said public participation would be critical to the success of plastic recycling efforts and stressed the need to protect ecological balance and address the growing environmental impact of plastic waste.

She said the initiative is being implemented with support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), without financial expenditure from the state exchequer. The recycling campaign will initially cover 13 designated locations across Maharashtra.

The minister also urged citizens to participate in the campaign under the ‘One Bottle for the Environment’ banner. She said the Environment Department is using photographs, videos and social media to raise awareness about responsible plastic disposal and recycling.

MLA Madhavi Naik said she was proud that the state’s first project was launched in Thane, while MLC Niranjan Davkhare called on corporate organisations to take greater responsibility for reducing pollution.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Member-Secretary Rahul Rekhawar said the project’s framework was initially developed in Mumbai in February 2026. Rekhawar also stated that the initiative aims to reach communities at the grassroots level, reduce plastic use and support Maharashtra’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2047 under the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) vision.

Huge Plastic Pile In State

As per one estimate, Maharashtra alone generates more than 440,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually and a substantial portion comes from PET bottles in major urban hubs like Mumbai and Pune. The state government has introduced a bioplastics policy to replace at least 30% of single-use plastic packaging with plant-based alternatives by the end of this decade.