MAM
Coca-Cola turns plastic waste into Mela structures
Maidaan Saaf brings recycled rooms towers and 25000 liners to 8 crore pilgrims.
MUMBAI: At a gathering where faith flows as freely as the Ganga, sustainability has quietly taken root underfoot.
At Magh Mela 2026 in Prayagraj, one of India’s largest annual congregations, recycled plastic waste is no longer a problem to be managed but a resource reshaped into public infrastructure. The effort comes under the Maidaan Saaf campaign led by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in collaboration with implementation partner Econscious.
Held from 3 January to 15 February 2026, the 44 day congregation is expected to draw nearly 8 crore visitors. For that duration, the ghats transform into a sprawling temporary city, complete with bathing areas, walkways and service hubs that must withstand relentless footfall, shifting weather and round the clock use.
This year, part of that city has been built from what was once discarded. Across the Mela grounds, 20 changing rooms, four police watch towers, public benches and 25000 dustbin liners manufactured from recycled plastic waste have been installed. Positioned strategically along bathing zones and key pathways, the structures are designed to support crowd movement while reinforcing organised waste collection at source.
The idea is not merely to place bins, but to make responsible disposal visible and intuitive. Econscious co-founder Vaibhav Verma said the intention was to integrate waste management into spaces that pilgrims already use throughout the Mela. Visible infrastructure, he noted, can act as behavioural cues, nudging people towards cleaner practices over time.
For Coca-Cola India, the focus is on embedding waste handling into the daily rhythm of the event rather than treating it as an afterthought. Coca-Cola India vice president of public affairs, communications and sustainability for Southwest Asia Devyani R L Rana described Magh Mela as a unique cultural congregation that operates like a full-fledged city for several weeks. Given its scale, she said, the priority is to ensure that waste systems are practical, relevant to local conditions and consistently maintained.
The initiative draws from operational learnings at earlier large-scale gatherings, including Maha Kumbh 2025, where coordination mechanisms were developed to ensure that facilities remained functional under sustained pressure.
In a place where millions gather for spiritual renewal, the presence of recycled plastic changing rooms and watch towers may not be the headline attraction. Yet, in a congregation of nearly 8 crore people, small shifts in infrastructure can create significant impact.
At Magh Mela 2026, the message is subtle but clear, what was once waste can, quite literally, support the weight of a city.
Brands
Summercool signs 10-episode Teen Taal podcast deal as presenting sponsor
Brand taps content-led marketing with seamless integrations on Aaj Tak show
NEW DELHI: Summercool Coolers has partnered with Teen Taal as the presenting sponsor for a 10-episode podcast series, marking its push into content-led marketing as brands increasingly look beyond traditional advertising formats.
The collaboration with Aaj Tak, part of the India Today Group, aims to tap into the growing influence of podcasts as high-attention platforms where audiences engage more deeply with content.
Instead of standard ad slots, the partnership leans on a content-first approach, with Summercool integrated directly into the show’s environment through studio branding, contextual mentions and visual cues. The idea is simple: be part of the conversation, not a break from it.
Early signs suggest the strategy is working. In the opening episode, the brand is woven into the discussion without interrupting the flow, offering a more natural recall compared to conventional advertising bursts.
Summercool Coolers director finance Abhishek Gupta said, “This partnership reflects our belief in engaging audiences where they are most attentive. By integrating naturally within a compelling storytelling format like Teen Taal, we are able to create authentic connections and drive organic engagement.”
Echoing this, India Today Group Digital CEO Salil Kumar said, “Podcasts today are not just content formats, they are high-attention environments. With Teen Taal, we’ve created a space where brands can participate in conversations, not interrupt them.”
Hosted by Kamlesh Singh, Kuldeep Mishra and Asif Khan, Teen Taal has built a loyal following for its mix of humour, satire and sharp takes on current affairs and everyday culture. That easy, conversational tone makes it a natural fit for brands seeking relevance without being overly intrusive.
With the first episode already live across platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and JioSaavn, the series offers a glimpse into how storytelling and subtle branding can go hand in hand. For Summercool, it is less about cooling the air and more about warming up to a new way of reaching audiences.
