Thane, Aug 07: Bisleri International, in collaboration with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) – Education Department, launched Bottles for Change across all 123 municipal schools in Thane. As Bisleri’s flagship waste management initiative, Bottles for Change engages institutions, housing societies and communities to create awareness on responsible plastic waste management. The event was graced by Smt. Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Hon’ble Mayor, Thane; Shri. Krushna Patil, Deputy Mayor, Thane Municipal Corporation; Shri. Saurabh Rao (I.A.S), Municipal Commissioner, Thane, and Dr. Mitali Sancheti, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Education Department, Thane Municipal Corporation.
A key feature of the launch was a Teachers’ Training Workshop, where around 200 teachers, principals and government officials from the 123 participating schools were trained on plastic waste management, source segregation, and the recycling process. A structured school implementation plan was also introduced to the participants.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd., said, “The greatest environmental change begins with small everyday habits, and there is no better place to build those habits than in our schools. Through Bottles for Change, Bisleri has been working with schools, housing societies and communities since 2019 to promote responsible plastic waste management. Our partnership with the Thane Municipal Corporation marks an important step in taking this movement to every municipal school in the city. By empowering teachers and inspiring students, we are nurturing a generation that understands source segregation, recycling, and the value of a circular economy. Together, we can create environmentally responsible citizens who will lead India’s journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.”
Smt. Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Mayor, Thane Municipal Corporation said, “Partnerships with organisations like Bisleri are vital for moving the needle on plastic waste management. With the industry taking up awareness and training, it becomes easier for communities to better utilise the infrastructure available to them. We hope that this partnership will effectively initiate climate action by young students in Thane.”
Shri. Saurabh Rao (I.A.S.), Municipal Commissioner, Thane Municipal Corporation, said, “Our children are the custodians of tomorrow’s environment, and it is our responsibility to prepare them for it today. By extending Bottles for Change to all 123 municipal schools, we are ensuring that every student in Thane learns the value of responsible plastic waste management from an early age. This partnership with Bisleri International, and the training our teachers have received, will help to build a cleaner and more sustainable place for generations to come.”
To translate awareness into action, the collaboration will also facilitate regular plastic waste collection, ensuring that recyclable plastic waste generated on school premises is consistently channelised for recycling and supports the circular economy. Trained teachers will play a central role in sustaining this system, embedding source segregation and responsible disposal as part of students’ everyday routines.
First implemented in Thane in 2019, Bisleri’s Bottles for Change has been instrumental in engaging communities and institutions to raise awareness about and improve plastic waste management in the city. The initiative has sensitised 35,000 students and citizens, and collected and channelised 4980 MT of plastic waste for recycling. With its implementation across municipal schools, the initiative will foster environmental responsibility amongst students from an early age and ensure the participation of young citizens in creating a cleaner, greener future for all.