Recycled plastic infrastructure deployed at Magh Mela

The initiative has been implemented under the Maidaan Saaf campaign by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with recycling solutions firm Econscious. The project has introduced functional utilities made from recycled plastic waste across bathing ghats, walkways and key service areas in Prayagraj.

As part of the deployment, 20 changing rooms, four police watch towers, public benches and nearly 25,000 dustbin liners manufactured from recycled plastic have been installed across the Mela grounds. The infrastructure is aimed at improving visitor convenience, supporting crowd movement and strengthening waste collection and segregation practices during the congregation.

The 44-day religious gathering, held between 3 January and 15 February, is expected to attract close to eight crore visitors. With the Mela functioning as a temporary urban settlement for several weeks, public utilities are subject to constant use and exposure to weather variations, making durable and low-maintenance materials critical.

Vaibhav Verma, co-founder of Econscious, said the installations are designed to integrate waste management into everyday public spaces at the Mela. According to him, visible recycling-based infrastructure can encourage responsible disposal behaviour while reinforcing the importance of post-consumer plastic reuse.

Devyani R L Rana, vice-president – Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Coca-Cola India, said the effort focuses on embedding practical waste-handling solutions into large-scale cultural events while supporting cleaner public spaces.

The initiative builds on experience gained from earlier mass gatherings, where recycling-led infrastructure models were tested. Organisers said coordinated on-ground maintenance systems have been put in place to ensure the facilities remain functional throughout the Mela period, underlining the potential of recycled plastic in temporary yet high-demand public infrastructure.