Maharashtra Signs Landmark MoUs on Climate Action and PET Recycling at Mumbai Climate Week

Two Key MoUs Signed and Two Guideline Reports Released by the Environment Department at Mumbai Climate Week in the Presence of Environment Minister Pankaja Munde
India’s first MoU between the Environment Department and Coca-Cola for PET bottle collection and recycling

Mumbai, February 2026 — To combat climate change and promote a circular economy, the Government of Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Department and the State Climate Action Cell signed two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during Mumbai Climate Week 2026. The event was held in the presence of State Minister for Environment and Climate Change Pankaja Munde.

On this occasion, the State Climate Action Cell entered into an MoU with Climate Trade LLP, while the Environment and Climate Change Department signed an MoU with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages to implement the Maha-RPET Campaign. For the first time in the country, Coca-Cola has signed an MoU with a state government for the collection and recycling of PET bottles.

The MoUs were signed by Environment and Climate Change Department Secretary Jayshree Bhoj and Director of the Climate Action Cell Abhijit Ghorpade.

An MoU has been signed between Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Company (HCCB) and the Government of Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Department for the collection and recycling of used PET bottles. Through this agreement, the department will launch the “Maha-RPET Campaign” in partnership with HCCB, aimed at encouraging statewide collection and recycling of used PET bottles. This initiative seeks to make waste management more sustainable through public-private partnership and reflects the state’s long-term vision for environmental conservation.

These two MoUs are expected to enhance climate resilience, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote sustainable development across the state.

For the first time, the Maharashtra Environment Department has partnered with a major FMCG company to implement a community-centric, structured PET collection and public awareness programme. Under this collaboration, awareness campaigns, structured collection systems, and information-education material on responsible disposal will be rolled out in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, and Palghar. Collection facilities will be set up at retail outlets, hotels, workplaces, and public places, with year-round coordination involving schools, institutions, and local self-government bodies.

This partnership is expected to establish a practical model of public-private collaboration by aligning policy oversight with on-ground implementation. The initiative will lay the foundation for a more organized and community-focused approach to PET waste management in major cities.

The MoU signed by the State Climate Action Cell with Climate Trade LLP will strengthen climate awareness, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building. This collaboration will also enhance effective implementation of Maharashtra’s State Climate Action Plan, improve communication mechanisms, and strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

Two Reports Released by Pankaja Munde

During Mumbai Climate Week, the State Climate Action Cell also released two important reports.

The C40 Report: Net-Zero Transition in the Energy and Buildings Sector in Maharashtra’s Cities, prepared in collaboration with C40 Cities, presents a roadmap for net-zero and climate-resilient development for cities in Maharashtra. Seven cities, including Mumbai, Amravati, and Thane, have developed high-impact action plans focusing on making municipal buildings net-zero and expanding rooftop solar energy.

Additionally, the CWAS Report: Climate-Responsive WASH Services, prepared in collaboration with Centre for Water and Sanitation (CWAS), provides practical guidance on implementing water and sanitation services aligned with climate change. The guide highlights experiences from Maharashtra’s cities, emphasizing circular economy approaches, energy transition, and inclusivity.

These initiatives are expected to keep Maharashtra at the forefront of city-centric climate action and create a replicable model for other cities to follow.

Team Maverick.