Mumbai: Bisleri International, through its flagship ‘Bottles for Change’ CSR initiative, collaborated with the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) for the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar (Clean Coast, Safe Sea) campaign and cleanup drive. The week-long initiative was held recently, with the final day marking International Coastal Cleanup Day. During the period, Bisleri supported coastal cleanliness and plastic waste management activities across 35 beaches in nine States and two Union Territories with 8,235 volunteers. It collected 21,418 kg of used plastic and channelled it for recycling, promoting a circular economy.
At the heart of Bottles for Change is the belief that plastic is not waste, but a valuable resource when responsibly segregated and recycled. This is particularly important for coastal ecosystems, where mismanaged land-based waste threatens marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods. In this context, the campaign brought together citizens, government, institutions, stakeholders, volunteers and other partners to promote cleaner beaches, responsible waste disposal, source segregation and recycling. The initiative also echoed this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day theme, “Clean Seas for Resilient Communities,” by linking cleaner coastlines with stronger and more resilient coastal communities.
Speaking about the collaboration, K. Ganesh, Director – Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Bisleri International, said, “Healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity are lifelines for coastal communities. Tackling the growing waste disposal problem in these ecologically sensitive areas is therefore a priority. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences addresses plastic waste pollution by initiating collective action in coastal regions of the country. Through Bottles for Change, we have consistently focused on proper waste management to curb pollution and create a circular economy for plastics. As part of this campaign, we aim to encourage citizens and communities to adopt waste segregation and collection with a goal of sending used plastic responsibly for recycling.”
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Earth Sciences said, “Marine plastic pollution has emerged as a critical environmental challenge. Our two-year partnership with Bisleri for the Swachh Sagar: Surakshit Sagar campaign has added an important focus on responsible plastic waste management and recycling. As part of this collaboration, Bisleri has undertaken coastal clean-up activities across 35 beaches, helping connect coastal cleanliness with everyday waste-management practices. Such partnerships are important in building greater awareness, encouraging sustained citizen participation, and strengthening collective efforts towards protecting our marine and coastal ecosystems.”