(#RPETAbhiyaan) What is the story behind this trend in Social Media today?
23-09-2026
The hashtag refers to a statewide campaign in Maharashtra called the Maha rPET Abhiyaan. It is an official initiative of the state government’s Environment and Climate Change Department, launched in partnership with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and beverage companies. The campaign focuses on collecting used PET bottles separately and cleanly so they can be recycled into new food-grade packaging. Dedicated collection bins have been placed at hotels, malls, cinemas, offices and other public places across major cities including Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik and others. The goal is to keep these bottles out of mixed waste and landfills, turn them back into usable material, cut plastic pollution and support a circular economy. The drive gained extra visibility during the festive season. People are being urged to treat empty PET bottles as a resource rather than trash: keep them clean, drop them in the special bins, and give them a second life instead of discarding them after celebrations. This simple habit is presented as a practical way for citizens to reduce waste and help the environment while festivals are in full swing.