Eliminating PET Bottles in Dine-In Restaurants: A Data-Driven Policy Blueprint Toward Sustainability

Plastic pollution in India continues to grow rapidly, particularly due to the widespread use of PET bottles in the food and beverage industry. This research examines data collected from 51 dine-in restaurants across three Indian cities—Nashik, Pune, and Hyderabad—to understand the scale of PET bottle usage primarily for aerated drinks that could be avoided without impacting convenience. The study argues for eliminating plastic bottles in dine-in settings where mobility is not a necessity and reusable alternatives like glass bottles are feasible. By combining primary field data with national-level estimates and market trends, the study projects the environmental benefits of this targeted reduction strategy and provides policy recommendations that support India’s sustainable development goals.