The Mahakumbh 2025 witnessed an unprecedented community-driven effort to reduce waste and promote sustainability through a large-scale Thali (Plate) and Thaila (Bag) Collection Campaign. The initiative, spanning across 43 states and involving thousands of organisations, played a crucial role in making the religious gathering more eco-friendly.
The commitment to making Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025 clean and plastic-free gained momentum through the Thaila and Thali campaign. This initiative significantly contributed to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of a clean and green Mahakumbh, with its impact now becoming visible. Various social organisations actively participated in this mission, transforming the resolution into a large-scale campaign. Among them, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) played a pivotal role in driving this movement.
The RSS launched the Thaila and Thali campaign to promote an eco-friendly Mahakumbh, encouraging pilgrims and visitors to adopt sustainable practices. A report on the campaign’s progress has now been released, highlighting its effectiveness in reducing plastic waste and fostering environmental awareness at Mahakumbh 2025.
The campaign saw the collection of over 14.17 lakh plates, 13.46 lakh bags, and 2.63 lakh glasses, which were distributed during the grand event. More than 7,258 collection points and 2,241 participating organisations ensured the smooth execution of this initiative. Lakhs of families actively participated in CM Yogi Adityanath’s vision of making Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025 not only grand and divine but also clean and green, leading to positive results.
According to Dr. Murar Ji Tripathi, the Prant Pracharak Pramukh of Kashi Province from the RSS, the impact of the ‘One Plate, One Bag’ campaign has been confirmed through its latest report. Dr. Tripathi stated that this large-scale initiative was successfully executed with zero budget, thanks to community participation. The campaign involved 2,241 organisations and 7,258 collection centers across 43 states, where collected items were later distributed to food outlets at Mahakumbh.
This effort was not just about numbers; it brought about significant environmental and economic benefits:
Major Achievements
- Drastic reduction in disposable waste The campaign led to an 80-85 per cent drop in the use of disposable plates and bowls (pattal-dona), significantly cutting down non-biodegradable waste.
- 29,000 tons of waste prevented The estimated waste generated was slashed from an expected 40,000 tons to a much lower figure, reducing the burden on sanitation workers and city waste management systems.
- Rs 140 crore savings on disposable items By switching to reusable utensils, daily savings of Rs 3.5 crore were recorded, amounting to a total saving of Rs 140 crore over the 40-day event. This excludes additional savings on transportation, sanitation, and disposal efforts.
- 70 per cent reduction in food waste Reusable plates ensured better portion control, leading to a 70 per cent drop in leftover food waste, a crucial step in addressing food wastage.
- Economic relief for religious kitchens Community kitchens, Bhandaras, and Akharas benefitted immensely, saving lakhs of rupees that would have otherwise been spent on disposable utensils.
- Long-term sustainability impact Steel plates distributed at the event will continue to be used for years, ensuring a lasting impact on waste reduction and cost savings beyond the Mahakumbh.
- Cultural Transformation: Rise of Utensil Banks The campaign sparked a cultural shift towards sustainability, encouraging the concept of “Utensil Banks”—a model where communities contribute reusable utensils for large gatherings instead of relying on disposables.
- A zero-budget people’s movement Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the initiative was its execution without any allocated budget. The entire campaign relied on voluntary public participation, making it one of the largest crowd-sourced sustainability initiatives in recent times.
With the support of lakhs of families, this nationwide campaign not only promoted the “Swachh and Harit Kumbh” mission but also spread awareness about environmental cleanliness. People were inspired to take care of their local rivers, lakes, and water sources, making the campaign a household movement. The effects of this initiative will continue even after Mahakumbh, as the distributed steel plates will be used for years, leading to ongoing waste and cost reduction.
The Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025 has set an inspiring precedent for future large-scale religious and social gatherings. The success of this initiative demonstrates how community participation, environmental responsibility, and sustainable practices can go hand in hand to create a cleaner and greener future.
